Give your views on plans to Make Smoking History

15th March 2018

Stockport residents are being asked to give their views on proposals to make Greater Manchester the first place in the world to “Make Smoking History” at a consultation roadshow in Stockport Town Centre.

The consultation event from Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership took place at Merseyway and was aimed at encouraging people to have their say in a ‘History Makers’ survey at www.historymakersgm.co.uk

One in eight people still smoke in Stockport, and the two biggest killers in Stockport are cardiovascular disease and cancer, both closely linked to smoking.

Robin Richards, originally from Marple in Stockport, is championing the campaign and went to the roadshow to encourage responses to the consultation.

Robin, 30, a huge Stockport County fan, is a bass guitarist in the band Dutch Uncles. He’s been chosen to front the new campaign as he passionately believes in it.

Robin said: “I felt this was a great initiative to be involved in, as I’d like to help make a difference and see the end of the potentially deadly effects of smoking and passive smoking.

Residents across Greater Manchester are being asked to give their views about the plan to radically cut adult smoking and deliver a tobacco free generation through a whole range of local actions, including extending smokefree places and licensing tobacco retailers.

The History Makers survey asks people to voice their opinion on whether tobacco companies should pay a ‘polluter levy’ for the damage that tobacco does to individuals, families and communities.

Stockport’s leading GP, Dr Ranjit Gill said ”Smoking affects people’s health in so many ways and though we are winning the war to get people to quit, in some areas of Stockport the number of people smoking is still far too high.

“The NHS and councils have plenty of ideas on how we tackle the problem but we’re sure Stockport residents have some great ideas as well. We want to hear them.”

Councillor Tom McGee, Stockport Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, said: “Last year there were nearly 3,000 hospital admissions in Stockport as a result of tobacco. Many hundreds of people in our borough die unnecessarily early every year because of smoking while others live difficult lives due to health conditions brought about by smoking.”

The Making Smoking History consultation runs from 12 February until 30 April, and people can respond to the consultation by visiting www.historymakersgm.co.uk.