WARWICKSHIRE County Council has received a government grant to reduce smoking rates in the county.
It has received £786,180 in funding as part of the national plan to create a ‘smoke-free’ generation by 2030.
The proposed change means that anyone turning 15 in 2024 and below will never legally be sold cigarettes or tobacco products even after they turn 18.
According to studies, over 80 per cent of smokers started before turning 20, many started as children.
The council will receive the funding over the next five years, the level of support is based on the number of smokers living in the county.
There are over 66,000 people in the area that smoke, which is 13.9 per cent of adults 18+.
Smokers can already access free stop smoking support across Warwickshire via the quit4good website.
It has recently improved the stop smoking support offer with the introduction of the new Government ‘Swap to Stop’ programme which offers smokers over the age of 18 access to support to quit with the help of vape ‘quit kits’.
Almost two-thirds of people who use a vape, along with support from their local Stop Smoking Service, successfully quit smoking.
Coun Margaret Bell, portfolio holder for adult social care and health said: “The council already has a great deal of support available for Warwickshire smokers who want to quit, so this additional funding from the smoke-free generation grant is a phenomenal boost that will make a huge impact in decreasing smoking rates across our county even further.
“We know it’s much easier to stop smoking when you get the right support, with the grant we can build on the options already available to smokers, raise more awareness of the support available, and ultimately help lots more Warwickshire residents go smokefree for good.”
Smokers can call 0333 005 0092 or text ‘QUIT’ to 60777 to access additional stop smoking support.
For those seeking stop smoking in pregnancy support, visit the Quit4Baby website or call or text the team on 07917 227 004.
