News Release : 28 July 2004

SMOKING BAN IS KEY TO A HEALTHY REGION

Legislation is needed to ban smoking in public places says the South East England Regional Assembly.

The Assembly unanimously backed a resolution at its annual meeting calling on local authorities in the region to hasten preparations for smoke-free status and urging central Government to support this work. The South East is the first region to vote formally on this issue.

Smoking has a significant adverse impact on the health, well-being and competitiveness of the South East, costing the economy £1.7bn and killing 16,000 people a year.

With smoking rates for young people on the increase, Assembly members believe it is time to take serious measures, particularly in light of the successful smoking ban in Ireland.

Health will be a key issue in the Assembly’s South East Plan - a vision for the region through to 2026, focusing on improvements that we need to make to ensure the region remains economically successful and an attractive place to live.

Addressing the issue of smoking in public places is an important part of the Plan. Research has shown that half of all people who smoke will be killed by it and that smokers lose an average of 16 years of life, a figure that doesn’t take into account the extra effect of passive smoking. Recent surveys in the South East show overwhelming support for a ban on smoking in the workplace.

Leading the Assembly debate, Christine Field, a member of the Healthy Region Forum and Leader of Mid Sussex District Council said: “Smoking is not just a personal issue given its significant adverse impact on the health, well-being and competitiveness of the South East. 16,000 people die each year from smoking in the region, costing £0.2billion to the NHS and £1.7billion to the region’s economy. Polls show that the public overwhelmingly supports restrictions on smoking in pubs, restaurants and other public places and there is significant investment and cross agency work in helping smokers including education, treatment and support.”

Contact

Lesley van Dijk, PR Executive - 01483 555223

Alistair Moses, PR Executive - 01483 555221

Notes to editors:

1. The Regional Assembly set up a Healthy Region Forum in 2000 as a partnership initiative with the NHS Regional Office and other agencies to address the health of the region.
2. The Regional Assembly is the “voluntary regional chamber” for the South East. It was established in January 1999 to give a representative voice to the South East region which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, and Surrey.
3. The Assembly is made up of 111 members including elected councillors nominated by the region’s local authorities and 37 representatives from other sectors of the community (including business, trades unions, education, housing, health, sports, culture, tourism, faith groups, environmental, community and voluntary organisations).
4. The Assembly has three areas of core business:
1. It is the representative voice of the South East, engaging and representing its member organisations and, through them, the wider public.
2. The Assembly has a specific role under the Regional Development Agencies' Act 1998 to ensure the accountability of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) to the region.
3. The Assembly has been the Regional Planning Body for the South East since April 2001. It has responsibility for proposing strategic planning and transport policies to Government.

Last updated: 21 August 2007