Welcome to smoke free Newham

From July 1, 2007 virtually all enclosed public places, workplaces and work vehicles in England became smoke free.

This is to ensure a healthier environment, so that all workers are protected from second hand smoke and so that everyone can socialise, relax, travel, and shop in a cleaner environment.


Getting help to stop smoking in Newham

You can quit with support from Newham Stop Smoking Service in the following areas:

• Community advisors - one to one support
• Stop smoking groups
• Hospital service
• Muslim men's service
• Workplace support

Support provided is free, friendly and informal. You will not be expected to quit at your first appointment. In all cases you can get access to Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), Zyban (Bupropion) or Champix (Varenicline), which is free if you are entitled to free prescriptions. If not, you pay the normal prescription charge.


Community advisors

Nearly every pharmacy in Newham and most general practitioner surgeries have a specially trained advisor to support you in your quit attempt. This involves approximately five appointments lasting between 15-30 minutes on a one-to-one basis. Ask your local pharmacy or general practitioner surgery if they provide this service. If they don't, call us on freephone 0800 0131673 and we will arrange suitable support for you.


Stop smoking groups

These are organised by the stop smoking team and are run at various locations in Newham, mostly in the evening. They involve attending weekly sessions of up to one hour, for approximately six weeks in total, although further support can be arranged if required. To find out more or to register for a group, freephone 0800 0131673 or email stopsmoking@newhampct.nhs.uk.


Getting help and advice on how to comply as a business

If you are an employer or own or manage a building that is open to the public you will be required by law to ensure that it is smoke free. Many of you will have already started preparing for this change, but if you haven't, it's not too late, and we can help.

Contact us on 0208 430 2000 or email healthworks@newham.gov.uk for all your compliance needs:

• Legal signage requirements
• Planning requirements for proposed external smoking areas
• Enforcement guidance
• Smoke free policies and statements
• Applying for the National Clean Air Award

For further information about the legislation and how to prepare, visit the Smokefree England website.


Smoke free Newham Alliance (SFNA)

The SFNA is made up of key stakeholders that bring with them credibility and a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience. The aim of the SFNA is to assist the community and workplaces in achieving a smoke free Newham.

The SFNA:

• Meet monthly
• Provide strategic direction for the tobacco control coordinator
• Support the work programme of the tobacco control coordinator to reach targets and meet milestones
• Work collaboratively and share relevant information
• Create pilot schemes and programmes of work
• Organise and hold smoke free Newham events
• Promote the work of the SFNA through their own networks and contacts

Members:

• Steve Timms MP
• Director of public health
• Assistant director of public health
• Tobacco control coordinator
• Stop smoking programme coordinator
• Environmental health
• Trading standards service unit manager
• Head of Improving Partnerships - LBN/PCT
• East London Business Alliance (ELBA)
• Local general practitioner
• Stratford shopping centre manager
• Newham University Hospital
• UNISON