Engagement - News and Updates

Smokefree Somerset Engagement

Smokefree Somerset Engagement

To achieve the national target for a Smokefree 2030 with only 5% of the population smoking, Somerset need to do more. With a target of around 45,000 needing to quit smoking in the county we need to have a better understanding of not only what motivates people to quit smoking but also what motivates them to start and how best to communicate with them.

5 people sat in a circle having a discussion with one holding a clipboard
Head shots of an adult and child smiling
Picture of a calendar with dates crossed off and a hand holding a pen going to cross off the next number
Picture of 2 smiling adults walking outside

Why does it matter?

  • Smoking is the biggest changeable habit that affects how long and healthy people live. Reducing smoking can help improve the health of our community
  • Smokers are 35% more likely to see their GP and 36% more likely to be admitted to hospital compared to non-smokers
  • Supporting more people to quit smoking will keep the working age population healthier and contribute to economic growth.
  • Immediate benefits to the NHS when people quit include -
  • Reduced likelihood of readmittance
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Fewer A&E visits
  • The average spend of a smoker on tobacco a year is £2,488
  • It’s estimated that every cigarette takes 11 minutes off the person’s life
  • Tobacco is the only legal product that, when used as intended, kills a significant number of its users
  • Nearly half of all smokers want to quit and many have tried multiple times before

 

We know that in Somerset

  • 12.6% of people smoke, which is around 60,000 people across Somerset.
  • 700 people die due to smoking each year
  • 1,700 people are out of work due to ill health from smoking
  • 21% of people in Core 20* most disadvantaged areas smoke compared to 11% in non-Core 20 (NHS England » Core20PLUS5 (adults) – an approach to reducing healthcare inequalities)
  • Estimated 26,100 children live in smoking households in Somerset
  • Children are 3 times more likely to start smoking if their loved ones around them do
  • An estimated 1,200 children start smoking each year

 

Our Engagement Plans

Following successful collaborative engagement work on other campaigns as an Integrated Care System (ICS) working with Somerset Council, Somerset Foundation Trust and our voluntary, community, faith sector enterprise (VCFSE) organisations, we will create a participation fund which will enable us to:

 

  • Work collaboratively with VCFSE community organisations who have trusted local relationships and connections, to engage with diverse people and communities across Somerset
  • Target those individuals and groups who are most likely to smoke and who may also experience challenges in trying to stop smoking
  • Use a range of engagement activities to ensure we learn about peoples' views, experiences and challenges, through online surveys, 1:1 conversations and focus groups
  • Use all feedback to help shape our communications, so that our social media posts, posters, websites and all of the information we share is accessible, informative and effective in encouraging people to utilise all support mechanisms available in Somerset to become Smokefree

 

We will provide updates on our engagement activity as the Smokefree campaign develops.