High support for smoke free family events in Rochdale, as new campaign launches

Jo Crossley and Amy Rowe from Tobacco Free Futures

Demand for smoke free events and spaces with children present is high in Rochdale, according to a new survey. 92% of people in Rochdale questioned were supportive of smoke free outdoor events for children and families, with only 2% opposed.

The survey results have been released as a fresh, new campaign, Smokefree Summer, has launched 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 smoke free to protect children by reducing their exposure to smoking behaviour.

The smoke free events will also help to reduce litter and reduce the chances of young children picking up and potentially eating cigarette butts that are toxic.

Shirley Mellor, 47, Rochdale said: “I support smoke free spaces and events where there are children and families, or people eating because I find that inconsiderate as it affects other people.

“I would definitely be more likely to attend a smoke free family event, rather than an event that allows smoking in front of children. I want to see more smoke free events because if children and young people aren’t seeing it their less likely to want to try it.”

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 Greater Manchester 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 smoke free 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, smoke free family-friendly events in our area.

"We have joined smoke free summer to help increase the number of family events we see promoting a smoke free 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 second hand smoke in outdoor spaces, rather its promoting healthy behaviour to children.

"The more events that become smoke free, 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.”