Joint project launched to tackle smoking (From The Northern Echo)

Joint project launched to tackle smoking

11:29am Saturday 27th June 2009

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FIREFIGHTERS and health staff have joined forces to save lives in a pilot project that tackles smoking.

Smokers will be offered advice on fire safety and quitting under the joint initiative in Darlington which could be extended across the region.

As part of their work in the community Darlington fire crews fit dozens of smoke alarms in people's homes.

They have now been trained by Darlington's public health team to encourage residents to take up stop smoking services offered free by the NHS.

Smokers are being targeted because materials cause countless fires both in and outside the home.

Earlier this year an elderly woman had to be rescued from her home after it was set ablaze by a cigarette.

Darlington fire crews attend hundreds of fires caused by cigarettes, lighters and matches.

Smoking is also the biggest cause of avoidable ill-health and premature death with each cigarette containing 4,000 harmful chemicals.

Green Watch manager Gary Bankhead said: "Smokers are at much greater risk of having a home fire.

"The aim is to get cigarettes, lighters and matches out of the house and if we can help get people to quit then it really does reduce the risk of fires preventing harm to them and their families."

Stop smoking advisor Debbie Green said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to work with the fire service. In one stroke we can improve people's health and safety."

For more details contact 01325-746114.

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