Issue - meetings

This report summarises the York Tobacco Control Plan, included at Annex 1, and the Council’s Smokefree Play areas scheme.

Resolved:

a.   That the Council’s commitments to the York Tobacco Control Plan (as detailed in Annex 1 of the report) be adopted.

b.   That the introduction of voluntary smokefree zones in York’s play areas, subject to public consultation be agreed in principle.

Reason:     Adopting the plan and agreeing in principle the Smokefree zone proposal is in line with the council’s duty to promote public health and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and is an opportunity to support partnership work and tangible action in this area.

The Executive Member considered a report that summarised the York Tobacco Control Plan, included at Annex 1, and the Council’s Smoke free Play areas scheme. The Acting Consultant in Public Health outlined the Tobacco Control Plan explaining that the burden of smoking of health in York was high with an estimated 20,000 smokers and the largest area of preventable health conditions. He reported that over the 18 months, the Tobacco Control Alliance, involving a number of organisations, had met to look at reducing tobacco use, supporting pregnant women who smoke, the smoking policies of different organisations and supporting a high quality cessation service; all of which were included in the plan. He noted that the council was responsible for this as part of its public health remit and he listed the support available. He noted that since 2010 smoking rates in York had halved.

The Acting Consultant in Public Health was asked and gave an overview of the smoke free play park scheme. He explained that it was designed to encourage smoke free norms for children through smoke free play areas. He was asked and noted that the scheme would be rolled out beyond council play parks to wider parks and the posters would be available to other organisations with play parks such as parish councils. There was to be a public consultation on the scheme running from 4 January to 1 February 2021 on the consultation forum on the council website. The Acting Consultant in Public Health encouraged participation in the consultation. The Executive Member noted that the results of the consultation would be reported back to the Health and Wellbeing Board. She welcomed the plan and scheme and

Resolved:

a.   That the Council’s commitments to the York Tobacco Control Plan (as detailed in Annex 1 of the report) be adopted.

b.   That the introduction of voluntary smoke free zones in York’s play areas, subject to public consultation be agreed in principle.

Reason:     Adopting the plan and agreeing in principle the Smoke free zone proposal is in line with the council’s duty to promote public health and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and is an opportunity to support partnership work and tangible action in this area.