Havering Council is aiming to reduce the harm caused by tobacco and vaping in the borough over the next five years and is asking residents for their views.
The draft Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy drafted in line with the national ambition of creating a healthier smoke-free society by 2030, will give residents the chance to have their say as part of a new public consultation.
Research shows that smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and causes serious health issues to both smokers and non-smokers.
Many preventable illness such as cancer, heart and lung diseases, which result in premature deaths, are primarily caused by smoking.
The overall strategy aims to focus on the local challenges required to reduce both tobacco and vape harm in the borough while recognising the addictive aspect to tobacco.
This often makes it difficult for residents to quit smoking - despite the majority of smokers wanting to quit.
Whilst vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, there is growing concern around the long term impact of vaping on younger people.
Smoking also has wider impacts such as lost working days due to sickness, and it puts pressure on local and national welfare costs as a result of smoking-related illnesses.
The Council, working alongside partners, has set out priorities as part of the five year plan that include supporting smokers to quit, empowering younger residents to not smoke or vape, creating smoke free environments and establishing stronger enforcement on the supply of illegal products.
Councillor Gillian Ford, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said:
“Tobacco smoking and vaping is causing ill-health and cutting lives short.
“The draft Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy does not sit in isolation and the Council will be working in partnership with other organisations and services to offer support to help smokers to quit, create smoke free environments and tackle the rise of vaping among young people.
"The strategy sets out why we need to work together and take action to understand the full extent of smoking not just to smokers, but to the borough as a whole.
“Having lost an aunt to lung cancer, I know just how much smoking can impact us all, I encourage residents to have their say on our plans by taking part in the consultation.”
The consultation closes on Monday 31 March 2025.