In the last few weeks, many constituents across Cumbria and Lancashire have written to their MPs in support of the implementation of the Health Act, as they realise just how important this measure is. Not only will the Health Act help to reduce supply of tobacco through vending machines but it will also help to reduce young peoples’ demand for tobacco through removing the significant displays of tobacco that young people are faced with every time they go into a shop.

We have heard from ten of our MPs in the last few weeks on this issue and whilst there is broad support for protecting children from smoking, some of our MPs have reservations about whether age verification could be more effective for vending machines and the cost of covering tobacco displays in shops. We know that age verification will make very little difference to access as was shown by a trial earlier this year. At the trial The National Association of Cigarette Machine Operators gave evidence to the Scottish Government about its test purchasing trial of radio-frequency controlled vending machines which showed that staff still failed to ask for ID in 1 in 5 of cases.

In terms of the cost of removing point of sale tobacco displays, The UK Association of Convenience Stores found the average cost of compliance in Ireland was £300 for those retailers which had to pay, but the industry paid for many to convert.

If constituents would like to express their views to MPs, they can make use of the Cancer Research Campaign facility at: http://www.cancercampaigns.org.uk/ourcampaigns/tobacco/index.htm

If you would like a full briefing, please contact Fay.Watson@centrallancashire.nhs.uk

Working alongside a Department of Health project, Smokefree North West have commissioned a piece of work to help understand the existing lead management processes within the North West Stop Smoking Services. This will help identify current best practice and develop recommendations for ‘the ideal’ prospects and customer relationship management programme. Ultimately this project will help improve conversion from lead to appointment.

Using best practice examples from Stop Smoking Services across the country and examples from the commercial sector, we will deliver an off the shelf programme to enhance effectiveness. We will provide training and a range of tools, from letter texts, SMS recommendations, lost prospect mailings and recommend a friend packs, all of which will have been researched with Routine & Manual target audience groups.

Delivery of the project will be in Quarter 4, and will initially be rolled-out in Greater Manchester (in-line with timings of Regional Database). Other sub-regions will follow.

If you would like any further information in the meantime please contact Matthew Downs, Regional Marketing Manager at Smokefree North West matthew.downs@emo.uk.com

McCann Manchester regularly communicates with our network of key journalists to ensure that we continue to lead the debate for a tobacco free future for everyone in the North West.

Extensive coverage has been achieved across every part of the region with support from extended communications teams at each sub-region as well as via public health networks, tobacco alliance, and other partnering organisations.

Highlights include the launch of the successful Illicit Tobacco ‘Keep It Out’ campaign on the 21st June 2010. Results included national and broadcast coverage with the BBC and Granada reporting on the campaign in a positive light. For this campaign, a total of 44 pieces of coverage was achieved,  including:
• Total Opportunities to See: 22,682,856
• Total Circulation/Unique users/Listeners: 20,798,232
Throughout the April to June 2010 a total of 52 pieces of coverage was achieved, including a number of key regional and local press in all five North West counties.

Coverage of 3rd anniversary of Smokefree legislation produced 24 pieces of coverage.

The young people in the Project Action Group identified that they would like training in presentation skills and public speaking to help them spread the word about the work they do and the Smoke & Mirrors project. This provided us with the opportunity to take them to the inspiring surroundings of the Lake District to visit the home county of some of the group members, and gave welcome relief from the city based meetings and activities they usually undertake. The residential was a great opportunity for the groups to meet new people, for some it was their first experience of a group residential.

As well as taking part in the training, the young people worked really hard on team building activities designed to foster creativity and co-operative working. One young person said: “I’ve learned lots more about the tobacco industry and I now feel more confident talking to groups now, because of the training”. For further information on Smokefree North West’s Youth Prevention work stream you can contact charlotte.lunt@smokefreenorthwest.org.uk

The chosen supplier, AN Computing has an established history of supplying web-based solutions to the NHS. Their portfolio includes the national surveillance systems for MRSA, MSSA and CDIF, which are in daily use by every Acute Trust in England and Northern Ireland. All their systems have been designed to permit reporting and performance management at local, regional and national levels.

The unique ‘Quit with Us’ system which allows services to track each clients progress and maintain regular contact via text and email, is being is currently being implemented across the Greater Manchester services and will go live during September.

For more information contact Tina Williams, Performance Improvement and Delivery Manager, SFNW tina.williams@smokefreenorthwest.org.uk

The campaign aims to reduce the harm caused to children by exposure to secondhand smoke – especially in the home – by urging parents and carers to ‘Take7 Steps Out’ to help protect their children.

A TV advert, PR roadshow in 24-locations, an information pack aimed at the identified target audience and a microsite  – www.take7stepsout.co.uk – will be augmented by a new brief intervention tool and guidelines later this month. This has been developed by the University of Liverpool, and will be available to colleagues in primary and secondary care, local authorities, Fire and Rescue teams and in the voluntary sector.

The public-facing campaign kicked-off in Manchester which hosted the first PR event featuring the cuddly ‘Steparoo’  -  a real hit with children and adults alike. You can follow her adventures across the North West at http://steparoo.take7stepsout.co.uk

Jo McLeish is a mum from Stockport who has two children aged 11 and 12. Her youngest child has asthma so she decided to try to stop smoking in the home mainly for him, as well as for the sake of her other son who hates the smell.
She says: “My son Calum is only 12 and he won’t even pass me the ashtray, which is good because he’s got two friends who smoke. It’s a bit of a cliché but they are the next generation to us and if we’re smoking around them, then we haven’t got a next generation.

“If you want to smoke, then take it outside like I do. Don’t smoke in front of your kids, go in the garden and take 7 steps”

This public-facing campaign is part of a wider whole-system approach to reducing health harms to children and young people caused by exposure to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is responsible for at least 35,000 primary care visits and 1000 hospital visits by children across the North West every year. It is linked with hearing impairments, triggers asthma attacks and cot deaths.

The need for the campaign to protect children of all ages is highlighted by survey results released this month which reveal that:

• almost half of parents do not know that secondhand smoke can cause cot deaths (47 percent)
• more than a third do not know that it can cause ear infections and hearing impairments (35 percent)
• 86 percent of respondents agreed that smokers should be encouraged not to smoke in their home if they share it with a child
• more than half of the respondents do not know that secondhand smoke has an impact on children attending school (51 percent)

Dr Steve Henderson, Lead GP NHS North West and GP for Benchill MC, Wythenshawe is a supporter of the campaign and says: “Parents in the North West clearly want the best for their children but unfortunately many are unaware of how much secondhand smoke affects their child’s health. This campaign aims to arm parents and carers with important information to help them make a good decision about their child’s well being.”

Dr Janet Atherton, Chair of Smokefree North West, adds: “We have a duty to support parents with the best possible information. Parents and other family members may not know, for example, that many of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke are invisible, so standing by an open window or door is simply not enough to protect their children.

“We know the public are behind us – with almost nine in ten supporting more education for smokers who live with children. We are working in close partnership with partners across health, local authority and fire and rescue and believe this campaign can make a real difference to the lives of children across our region.”

Smokefree North West has been working closely with partners to identify resources that can be made available across the region and so far 24,000 packs and 50,000 leaflets have been distributed to partners for use across the system. In addition, Smokefree North West has distributed banners and flyers to every PCT wishing to extend the activity beyond the summer and we are liaising with partners in Sure Start Centres to identify the most appropriate materials we can provide to support their work with parent and carer groups.

We are pleased to say that more than half of PCTs across the North West have opted to adopt the brand and we are working closely with all PCTs to ensure we join up as far as possible to maximise learnings and resources.

Print ready art work, templates and brand guidelines are also available for all those opting to adopt the brand.

A key part of the campaign – to motivate people to take action – is boosted by real stories of people who have made this change for the sake of their families. A number of people have come forward as case studies from across the region offering their advice about how they made their home smokefree and hoping to inspire others to do the same. You can see and hear their stories on www.take7stepsout.co.uk/your-stories  We are collecting more stories as we travel around the region with the roadshow so please keep an eye on the website for additions.

Smokefree North West has managed to secure a number of family day out prizes at key attractions across the North West for the best case studies. Winners will be announced towards the end of August.

The Take 7 Steps Out roadshow will tour the North West from 10th August until 11th September 2010 and is supported by a five-week TV campaign organised jointly with Fresh – Smokefree North East. To view the TV add visit www.take7stepsout.co.uk

For further information on this campaign please contact Louise Tolan, louise.tolan@smokefreenorthwest.org.uk  / 0161 238 6380

This toll of illness, caused by secondhand smoke, is the focus of a new North West campaign that will urge parents to Take 7 Steps Out of their homes to help protect their children from immediate and lifelong damage to their lives and health.

The need for the campaign to protect children of all ages is highlighted by survey results released today by Smokefree North West which reveal that:

• almost half of parents do not know that secondhand smoke can cause cot deaths (47 percent)
• more than a third do not know that it can cause ear infections and hearing impairments (35 percent)
• 86 percent of respondents agreed that smokers should be encouraged not to smoke in their home if they share it with a child
• more than half of the respondents do not know that secondhand smoke has an impact on children attending school (51 percent)

Robin Ireland, Chief Executive, Heart of Mersey said: “Smoking around children is responsible for at least 35,000 preventable GP and hospital visits across the North West every year*. In enclosed spaces it exposes their vulnerable lungs and bodies to harmful toxins, increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (cot death), triggering asthma symptoms and middle ear problems which cause hearing impairment which may lead to avoidable operations and a lot of time off school.”

Smokefree North West is taking the ‘Take 7 Steps Out’ campaign to communities across Cheshire and the North West as part of a summer roadshow, which will be launched at Ellesmere Port Market, one of twenty four roadshow events which will tour every county, travelling to three locations in Cheshire.

Parents in the North West clearly want the best for their children but unfortunately many are unaware of how much secondhand smoke affects their child’s health. There is no doubt that cigarette smoke harms children but small changes such as to take 7 steps out of your home can make all the difference. This campaign aims to arm parents and carers with important information to help them make a good decision about their child’s well being.

Dr Janet Atherton, Chair of Smokefree North West, said: “We have a duty to support parents with the best possible information. Parents and other family members may not know, for example, that many of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke are invisible, so standing by an open window or door is simply not enough to protect their children.

“We know the public are behind us – with almost nine in ten supporting more education for smokers who live with children. We are working in close partnership with partners across health, local authority and fire and rescue and believe this campaign can make a real difference to the lives of children across our region. You can log on at Take7 Steps Out for helpful tips and hints about how to make your home smokefree”

The Take 7 Steps Out roadshow will tour the North West from 10^th August until 11^th September and is supported by a five-week TV campaign organised jointly with Fresh – Smokefree North East.

For more information on locations of activities visit take7stepsout.co.uk and get instant updates from campaign mascot StepaRoo by following her blog at steparoo.take7stepsout.co.uk.

Cheshire roadshow locations:

• Ellesmere Port Market, 13 August , 9.30am to 5pm
• Crewe Square, 8 September, 9am to 5pm
• Golden Square Shopping Centre, Warrington, 11 September, 9am to 5pm

This toll of illness, caused by secondhand smoke, is the focus of a new North West campaign that will urge parents to Take 7 Steps Out of their homes to help protect their children from immediate and lifelong damage to their lives and health.

The need for the campaign to protect children of all ages is highlighted by survey results released today by Smokefree North West which reveal that:

• almost half of parents do not know that secondhand smoke can cause cot deaths (47 percent)
• more than a third do not know that it can cause ear infections and hearing impairments (35 percent)
• 86 percent of respondents agreed that smokers should be encouraged not to smoke in their home if they share it with a child
• more than half of the respondents do not know that secondhand smoke has an impact on children attending school (51 percent)

Dr Chris Clayton, a Lancashire GP based at Darwen Health Centre said:  “Smoking around children is responsible for at least 35,000 preventable GP and hospital visits across the North West every year.*

In enclosed spaces it exposes their vulnerable lungs and bodies to terrible toxins, increasing the risk of cot death, triggering asthma symptoms and ear problems which could cause hearing loss, time off school and possibly operations”

Smokefree North West is taking the ‘Take 7 Steps Out’ campaign to communities across Lancashire and the North West as part of a summer roadshow, which will be launched at St John’s Church, Cedar Square, Blackpool one of twenty four roadshow events which will tour every county, travelling to five locations in Lancashire.

Helen Denton, Executive Director for Children and Young People, Lancashire County Council said: “Parents in the North West clearly want the best for their children but unfortunately many are unaware of how much secondhand smoke affects their child’s health. There is no doubt that cigarette smoke harms children but most parents think that moving to another part of the room, opening a window in a car or house, or smoking just outside the door will prevent harm. It won’t, but just a small change such as to take 7 steps out of your home or not to smoke at all in the car, can make all the difference. This campaign aims to arm parents and carers with important information to help them make a good decision about their child’s well being. There is nothing more important than ensuring our children grow up safe and well and able to take part and enjoy all that life has to offer them”

Julie Mellor is married to a local milkman and both are smokers. They live with their twelve year old daughter and two year old son in Rossendale Valley, Lancashire.

Whilst pregnant with her youngest child she gave up smoking having become aware of the risks to her unborn baby. When the baby was born she began smoking again but still aware of the dangers of secondhand smoke and the effects on the baby, she refused to smoke in the same room as him.

Julie signed up their home to the Smoke Free Homes scheme while attending a fun day at The Maden Community and Children’s Centre in Bacup.

Julie said: ”I would do anything to protect the health of my children; I’m just sorry I started smoking again after my son was born. I know at the moment the children are not 100 percent safe from exposure to secondhand smoke as I have learnt dangerous particles can stay on your clothes for two to three hours. We have taken steps towards keeping our children safe and helping us t o achieve our goal.”

Dr Janet Atherton, Chair of Smokefree North West, said: “We have a duty to support parents with the best possible information. Parents and other family members may not know, for example, that many of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke are invisible, so standing by an open window or door is simply not enough to protect their children.

“We know the public are behind us – with almost nine in ten supporting more education for smokers who live with children. We are working in close partnership with partners across health, local authority and fire and rescue and believe this campaign can make a real difference to the lives of children across our region. You can log on at Take7 Steps Out for helpful tips and hints about how to make your home smokefree”

The Take 7 Steps Out roadshow will tour the North West from 10^th August until 11^th September and is supported by a five-week TV campaign organised jointly with Fresh – Smokefree North East.

For more information on locations of activities visit take7stepsout.co.uk and get instant updates from campaign mascot StepaRoo by following her blog at steparoo.take7stepsout.co.uk.

Lancashire roadshow locations:

• St John’s Church, Cedar Square, Blackpool, 12 August , 10am to 4pm
• St James Street, Burnley, 18 August, 9am to 3pm
• The Mall, Blackburn, 24 August ,  8am – 5.30
• Arndale Shopping Centre, Morecable, 25 August, 9.30 to 4pm
• St Georges Centre, Preston, 28 August, 9 am to 5pm

This toll of illness, caused by secondhand smoke, is the focus of a new North West campaign that will urge parents to Take 7 Steps Out of their homes to help protect their children from immediate and lifelong damage to their lives and health.

The need for the campaign to protect children of all ages is highlighted by survey results released today by Smokefree North West which reveal that:

• almost half of parents do not know that secondhand smoke can cause cot deaths (47 percent)
• more than a third do not know that it can cause ear infections and hearing impairments (35 percent)
• 86 percent of respondents agreed that smokers should be encouraged not to smoke in their home if they share it with a child
• more than half of the respondents do not know that secondhand smoke has an impact on children attending school (51 percent)

Dr Simon Capewell, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, University of Liverpool said: “Smoking around children is responsible for at least 35,000 preventable GP and hospital visits across the North West every year*. In enclosed spaces it exposes their vulnerable lungs and bodies to harmful toxins, increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (cot death), triggering asthma symptoms and middle ear problems which cause hearing impairment which may lead to avoidable operations and a lot of time off school.”

Smokefree North West is taking the ‘Take 7 Steps Out’ campaign to communities across Merseyside and the North West as part of a summer roadshow, which will be launched at Williamson Square, one of twenty four roadshow events which will tour every county, travelling to five locations in Merseyside.

Elaine Griffiths, Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital; Councillor for Royal College of Surgeons said: “All parents in the North West want the best for their children. Unfortunately most are unaware of the potential damage that secondhand smoke can cause to their child’s health. Secondhand smoke exposure is a major cause of avoidable childhood disease. Small changes such as to take 7 steps out of your home allow parents to prevent these risks. This campaign aims to arm parents and carers with important information to help them make a good decision about their child’s well being.”

Dr Janet Atherton, Chair of Smokefree North West, said: “We have a duty to support parents with the best possible information. Parents and other family members may not know, for example, that many of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke are invisible, so standing by an open window or door is simply not enough to protect their children.

“We know the public are behind us – with almost nine in ten supporting more education for smokers who live with children. We are working in close partnership with partners across health, local authority and fire and rescue and believe this campaign can make a real difference to the lives of children across our region. You can log on at Take7 Steps Out for helpful tips and hints about how to make your home smokefree”

The Take 7 Steps Out roadshow will tour the North West from 10^th August until 11^th September and is supported by a five-week TV campaign organised jointly with Fresh – Smokefree North East.

For more information on locations of activities visit take7stepsout.co.uk and get instant updates from campaign mascot StepaRoo by following her blog at steparoo.take7stepsout.co.uk

Merseyside roadshow locations:

• St Georges Hall , Liverpool, 11 August , 9.30am to 4.30pm
• The May Logan Healthy Living Centre, Bootle, 16 August, 9am to 5pm
• Widnes Town Centre, 21 August, 9.30am to 5pm
• Pyramid Shopping Centre, Birkenhead, 5 September, 10am to 3pm
• Kirby Market, Knowsley, 10 September , 8.30am to 4.30pm

This toll of illness, caused by secondhand smoke, is the focus of a new North West campaign that will urge parents to Take 7 Steps Out of their homes to help protect their children from immediate and lifelong damage to their lives and health.

The need for the campaign to protect children of all ages is highlighted by survey results released today by Smokefree North West which reveal that:

• almost half of parents do not know that secondhand smoke can cause cot deaths (47 percent)
• more than a third do not know that it can cause ear infections and hearing impairments (35 percent)
• 86 percent of respondents agreed that smokers should be encouraged not to smoke in their home if they share it with a child
• more than half of the respondents do not know that secondhand smoke has an impact on children attending school (51 percent)

Dr Peter Elton Director of Public Health said: “Smoking around children is responsible for at least 35,000 preventable GP and hospital visits across the North West every year. Especially in enclosed spaces it exposes their vulnerable lungs and bodies to harmful toxins, increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (cot death), triggering asthma symptoms and middle ear problems which cause hearing impairment which may lead to avoidable operations and a lot of time off school.”

Smokefree North West is taking the ‘Take 7 Steps Out’ campaign to communities across Greater Manchester and the North West as part of a summer roadshow, which will be launched at Exchange Square, Manchester.

Dr Steve Henderson, Lead GP NHS North West and GP for Benchill MC, Wythenshawe said: “Parents in the North West clearly want the best for their children but unfortunately many are unaware of how much secondhand smoke affects their child’s health. There is no doubt that cigarette smoke harms children but small changes such as to take 7 steps out of your home can make all the difference. This campaign aims to arm parents and carers with important information to help them make a good decision about their child’s well being.”

Jo McLeish is a mum from Stockport who has two children aged 11 and 12. Her youngest child has asthma so she decided to try to stop smoking in the home mainly for him, as well as for the sake of her other son who hates the smell.

She says: “Anybody that comes to the house now is told if you want to smoke, you’ve got to go in the garden – do not smoke in my house.

“My son Calum is only 12 and he won’t even pass me the ashtray, which is good because he’s got two friends who smoke. It’s a bit of a cliché but they are the next generation to us and if we’re smoking around them, then we haven’t got a next generation.

“If you want to smoke, then take it outside like I do. Don’t smoke in front of your kids, go in the garden and take 7 steps”

Dr Janet Atherton, Chair of Smokefree North West, said: “We have a duty to support parents with the best possible information. Parents and other family members may not know, for example, that many of the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke are invisible, so standing by an open window or door is simply not enough to protect their children.

“We know the public are behind us – with almost nine in ten supporting more education for smokers who live with children. We are working in close partnership with partners across health, local authority and fire and rescue and believe this campaign can make a real difference to the lives of children across our region. You can log on at Take7 Steps Out for helpful tips and hints about how to make your home smokefree”

The Take 7 Steps Out roadshow will tour the North West from 10^th August until 11^th September and is supported by a five-week TV campaign organised jointly with Fresh – Smokefree North East.

For more information on locations of activities visit take7stepsout.co.uk and get instant updates from campaign mascot StepaRoo by following her blog at steparoo.take7stepsout.co.uk