THE  council is set to support government plans to create a ‘smokefree generation’ in South Cumbria. 

Members of the heath and wellbeing board for Westmorland and Furness Council are set to respond to a consultation supporting the governments proposed measures which aim to reduce the number of smokers to less than five per cent of the population by 2030.

Amongst the governments proposals to reduce smoking include making it an offence for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to be sold tobacco products, as well as restricting the flavours and descriptions of vapes so that vape flavours are no longer targeted at children.

Government plans also include regulating point of sale displays in retail outlets so that vapes are kept out of sight from children and away from products that appeal to them as well as considering restricting the sale of disposable vapes, which are linked to the rise in vaping in children.

In Barrow 21 per cent of adults smoke and throughout England it is estimated that 13 per cent of adults smoke.

A council report titled tobacco free Lancashire and South Cumbria states: “Tobacco use is the largest driver of health inequalities in England and is perhaps the most significant public health challenge that we face today.

“Recorded life expectancy for smokers is at least 10 years shorter than for non-smokers with a disproportionate impact on those from poorer backgrounds where smoking prevalence is higher, as well as those suffering from mental health conditions.”

Katrina Stephens, the director of public health for Westmorland and Furness Council, previously said smoking was still the biggest contributor to premature deaths in the region.

According to Public Health England, smoking causes 84 per cent of deaths from lung cancer and increases the risk of having a stroke by at least 50 per cent.

Figures show that across Lancashire and South Cumbria smoking is responsible for around 7,600 premature deaths and over 17,000 hospital admissions each year.

The government has set the target of by the year 2030 for England to be smoke free. This means that by 2030 less than five per cent of the population will smoke.

The report said currently Lancashire and South Cumbria are not on track to meet this ambition and according to Ms Stephens for Westmorland and Furness to hit this target, 10,000 people in the area will have to stop smoking without anyone else taking it up.

Westmorland and Furness Council is also introducing a range of measures to help lower the number of smokers.

These include hiring a full-time smoke free co-ordinator who will implement training for schools and other partners.

The council is also exploring offering incentives to pregnant women in the form of shopping vouchers to under-served women for whom giving up smoking may be more difficult.

A pilot scheme of Allen Carr’s Easyway to Stop Smoking in Barrow has also received positive feedback from participants.

Members of the health and wellbeing board for Westmorland and Furness Council are recommended to endorse the proposed response to the consultation when they meet on Tuesday (December 5) at Penrith Town Hall.