Smokefree Summer event to protect children welcomed

Bekki Finn with her partner Jon Pudny and their daughter Effie, 2

The decision to make Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and one mile Fun Run smokefree, to help promote healthy behaviour to children, has received strong support from the public and families that attended, supporting recent survey findings which show 92% of respondents support smokefree outdoor events for children with only 2% opposed to the idea.

The survey results were released for the launch of Smokefree Summer in Rochdale. The campaign is a new initiative running across Greater Manchester during Summer 2015 which will see a series of family-friendly events in the area becoming smokefree to protect children by reducing their exposure to smoking.

Bekki Finn who lives in Rochdale attended Rochdale Half Marathon with her partner Jon Pudny and their daughter Effie, 2, said: “I am in support of Smokefree Summer Events as I think it is positive for children not to be around smoking, I personally don’t like the smell, I don’t like anything about it. I would like to see smokefree spaces everywhere, all events especially children’s and sporting events.

“It’s better for our children if they are not influenced by seeing others smoking. I would like to see smokefree spaces in parks for instance, it would work better if they had just designated smoking areas, not that they are just able to do it because it’s outside which can mean anywhere. They shouldn’t be able to do it by outside playing spaces for children.

“It sets a very bad example for children to see smoking all the time. Making them think it’s the right, done thing to do, so a reduction of this would make it less acceptable.”

Smokefree Summer has been co-ordinated by local social enterprise Tobacco Free Futures which has worked together with local authorities and event organisers across Greater Manchester.

The street survey was carried out by an independent street engagement team commissioned by Tobacco Free Futures. 50 people in Rochdale were asked their opinions on smoking outside:

• 88% agreed that smoking outdoors in front of children and young people sets a bad example, with only 12% of people disagreeing
• 36% agreed there should be no smoking in parks where children, and families may visit, with 28% of people disagreeing
• 56% supported no smoking at general outdoor public events, with only 14% who didn’t support the idea

Councillor Janet Emsley Cabinet Member for Culture, Health and Wellbeing at Rochdale Borough Council said: “We recognise that there is a high level of support and demand for more smokefree events and spaces in Rochdale. We are committed to tackling the harms caused by tobacco in our communities, especially to children, and want to see more healthy, smokefree family-friendly events in our area. We have joined smokefree summer to help increase the number of family events we see promoting a smokefree policy and hope that more local organisers change their policies to protect children.”

Andrea Crossfield, Chief Executive of Tobacco Free Futures said: “Young people consistently overestimate the prevalence of smoking, with 60% thinking it’s the ‘norm’, when in reality four out of five people don’t smoke in the North West.

“Smokefree summer has been created to increase the amount of clean and healthy environments that children and families play in, helping children to understand that smoking isn’t a normal activity.

“This isn’t about protecting children from secondhand smoke in outdoor spaces, rather its promoting healthy behaviour to children. The more events that become smokefree, the less likely children are to take up smoking – preventing them from entering into a deadly addiction that kills one in two long-term smokers.”

If you are thinking about quitting smoking you can contact Living Well Rochdale local stop smoking service for free help and support by calling 01706 751 190.