Agenda item

Consider paper by Interim Joint Director of Public Health on the actions to support the adoption of the Charter.  (Copy attached.)

4.1       There had been circulated copies of a paper by Dr Tim Patterson, Interim Joint Director of Public Health, which outlined the requirements of ‘Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-Free Generation” and the invitation from ASH Scotland to the Community Planning Partners to adopt the Charter principles.  Dr Patterson commented that overall within Scottish Borders there was 20% smoking prevalence, but this rose to 30% in deprived areas.  The Charter was ambitious but also extremely important.  The Charter comprised six key principles: 

1.    Every baby should be born free from the harmful effects of tobacco;

2.    Children have a particular need for a smoke-free environment;

3.    All children should play, learn and socialise in places that are free from tobacco

4.    Every child has the right to effective education that equips them to make informed positive choices on tobacco and health;

5.    All young people should be protected from commercial interests which profit from recruiting young smokers;

6.    Any young person who smokes should be offered accessible support to help them to become tobacco-free.

4.2       By signing the Charter, the partners would be pledging to “review our personal views, policy and practice so we can confidently help protect children from tobacco and so reduce the burden of tobacco on our communities”.  Once an organisation or partnership had signed the Charter pledge, then ASH Scotland would contact them to establish current plans and activities relevant to the Charter principles.  There would also be an expectation to commit to a number of additional actions and provide an update on progress towards these new actions.  A copy of the Charter pledge was attached as Appendix 1 to the report, and a comprehensive list of actions which supported each of the principles which had been developed was attached as Appendix 2 to the report.  For many of these actions, activities were already underway that could support delivery.

4.3       The Action Plan aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of second hand smoke across a wide range of settings; provide guidance on smoke free homes for parents and prospective parents; promote smoke free environments where children played, learned and socialised; promoted and supported the development of tobacco policies in nurseries/toddler groups, schools, youth work settings and workplaces; improved referral pathways to smoking cessation support for young people; and supported Trading Standards to reduce the supply of tobacco to young people.  These actions involved supporting and working with a range of individuals, professionals and services which worked with children and families.  Dr Patterson further explained that smoking was still the main cause of avoidable ill health/death so anything which gave prominence to its dangers helped.  As one of the most harmful habits, this was not just a health organisation issue.  Mr Farries commented that smoking was the second highest cause of house fires so any reduction was to be welcomed.

DECISION

AGREED:

(a)     to support as a Partnership the principles of ‘Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation’ and the associated actions to implement the principles; and

(b)     to note that actions to support the adoption of the Charter principles would be overseen by the Scottish Borders Joint Tobacco Control Group and that annual reports on progress would be provided.