COVENTRY is set to receive over half a million pounds in funding this year in an attempt to create a ‘smoke-free’ generation.
In line with the government’s ‘stopping the start’ plan; which aims to see the first smoke-free generation by 2030, Coventry has been awarded an annual grant of £520,304 from this coming April until March 2029.
The further £2million, set to follow over the next four years, will rely on Coventry City Council showing programme-related work is continuing every year.
Last October, the Government announced plans to raise the sale age of tobacco products by one year every year from 2027 onwards.
This would mean children who turn 14 years old this year will never be able to purchase tobacco products legally.
Coventry City Council are yet to receive the grant agreement for the funding do there are no current plans on how the money will be spent.
The amount of cash given is calculated using the estimated number of smokers living in the area, with figures showing 13.7 per cent of Coventarians being smokers.
Currently, the council spend around £420,000 a year on smoking-stopping services.
Coun Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing at Coventry City Council, said: “Our smoking cessation services are a key part of that programme, and we have been working hard over many years to help people quit and to stop our young people from starting to smoke.
“This grant funding will help create a coordinated approach between the Council and its partners and will cover many areas.”
Coun Caan added the funding will help tackle traders who sell illegal products whilst targeting underage smokers.
Figures show that more smokers set a quit date with the support of smoking cessation services in Coventry than the national and regional average.
Coventry City Council said that the 2030 goal was ambitious and challenging, but it would work hard to ensure smokers who want to quit can access support and the additional funding will make steps in achieving the goal.
If approved, work will then start on developing a programme of services for the coming year.
