Nottingham young people have given their views on smoking and tobacco advertising in new research.
The number of smokers in Nottingham is the third highest in the country, but a new study reveals that many young people in the City don’t like smoking, don’t like seeing other young people smoking, and want adults, particularly teachers, to set an example by not smoking.
The research, carried out for Nottingham’s Strategic Tobacco Control Group (which brings together Nottingham City Council and NHS Nottingham City to steer work on smoking) by Ipsos MORI, coincides with the second anniversary of the smoke-free legislation in England. It was presented at the Council House on Friday afternoon (July 3) at an event that was also raising awareness of the tobacco control measures in the Health Bill 2009. If the Bill becomes law, it will remove displays of tobacco from point of sale in shops and restrict the sale of tobacco from vending machines.
The research found that the majority of young people surveyed were aware of shop displays and supported the removal of displays in shops. The study examines their thoughts on tobacco advertising, branding and packaging, and highlights how strongly tobacco packaging resonates with young people.
The study also looked at:
* how young people get hold of tobacco. Some of the smokers said they buy individual cigarettes from other children at school
* young people’s attitudes towards the tobacco industry and a belief that the companies should have a duty of care towards young people.
Councillor Eunice Campbell, Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio holder for Health, said: “This research will help the Council pinpoint its smoke free initiatives to maximum effect among the young people in Nottingham. It also strengthens our support for the tobacco control measures in the Health Bill. The City Council supports a ban on tobacco vending machines rather than further restrictions.
“Smoking is a known killer. Nottingham has the third highest smoking rates in the country and in some of our most deprived wards more than one in two people smoke. If people don’t smoke when they are young, the chances of them ever starting is greatly reduced, so the more we can protect young people from tobacco the better.”
Jeanelle de Gruchy, Deputy Director of Public Health at NHS Nottingham City, said: “Reducing smoking in Nottingham City is one of our main priorities and receiving the views from young people will give us a great insight into how to tackle smoking amongst young people and prevent them from starting in the first place.
Nottingham young people have given their views on smoking and tobacco advertising in new research
“One initiative we have in place already is New Leaf Nottingham City, which is a free service available to smokers wanting to stop. New Leaf provides information, advice and support on giving up smoking and Nicotine Replacement Therapy, where appropriate.”
Graham Allen MP, who will be supporting the event and outlining the tobacco control measures in the Health Bill, said: “Smoking prevalence in Nottingham at 39% is amongst the highest in the UK, rising as high as 56% in the more deprived areas like those in my constituency. So I am delighted to lend my support to an event called ‘Making Smoking History for Our Children’.
