Decision details

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Public Health that sought approval to update and publicise the Smokefree policy in Oldham to create healthy and safe environment for the Borough’s residents. 

It was estimated that exposure to SHS (Second Hand Smoke) in the UK caused around 2,700 deaths in people aged 20-63 and a further 8,000 deaths a year among people aged 65 years and older. People particularly at risk from the effects of SHS and smoke included pregnant women, children and people with pre-existing heart or respiratory illnesses.

Reducing smoking was one of the key priorities of Oldham’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy and it was the Council’s ambition to work towards a smoke-free Oldham.  Smoking had been identified as a key challenge facing the system in the Oldham Integrated Care Partnership’s Locality Plan and was highlighted as one of the 18 core areas needed to be improved and transformed. High smoking rates and the need for improved support for self-management around smoking cessation were identified as key factors in the report by Carnall Farrar which identified priorities for addressing health and care demand and drivers of demand in Oldham.

In 2018 Oldham council developed a smokefree policy which covered all council owned properties, spaces and vehicles. Updating this policy following legislative changes proposed in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which was going through the House of Lords, would be an important step in Oldham achieving its smokefree ambitions and reducing tobacco use and smoking prevalence in the borough.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 (preferred Option) – to update the Council’s Smokefree policy.

Option 2 – to not update the Council’s Smokefree policy.

Resolved:

That the Council revise and update its smokefree policy, in line with the narrative detailed in the submitted report relating thereto.