“Smoking continues to be the single biggest cause of ill health and death in Ireland” (Healthy Ireland Survey 2016)
There is no safe level of second-hand smoke and all exposure to tobacco smoke should be eliminated” (WHO 2009).
Almost 6000 people die each year from smoking related illnesses in Ireland. Whilst the prevalence of smoking in Ireland has fallen significantly in recent years, it has not done so in all sectors of society.
A study by the WHO on exposure to second-hand smoke found that two-fifths of children and one third of adult non-smokers were exposed to second-hand smoke in 2004. They estimated that this
exposure contributed to 1% of worldwide mortality in 2004
Community Tobacco Project
The Community Tobacco Project aims to:
- Increase knowledge and awareness of tobacco related harm and the benefits of quitting.
- Support and empower people to quit.
- Influence social attitudes to smoking and help to make smoke free the norm.
The Programme Coordinator works with a variety of community groups, businesses and individuals to provide information sessions, carry out carbon monoxide screening, provide brief interventions for smoking cessation and encourage and refer smokers to the HSE smoking cessation clinics.
The programme is also working with the public and community sector and with individual households to raise awareness of the impact of second-hand smoke and support people to act to establish ‘SmokeFree’ homes, parks, pitches etc. and in so doing de-normalise the usage of tobacco.
The underlying spirit of all project interventions is that change comes from within the individual. People will be facilitated and supported to do their own self persuading and problem solving in relation to their smoking habit.
Smoke Free Community
To learn more about our Smoke Free Community and to register please click Smoke Free Community | County Wicklow Partnership
For more information please contact: Mailyn Bass 087.1500234 or by email at tobaccocessation@wicklowpartnership.ie