Decision details

Wirral Residents Live Healthier Lives: Tobacco Control and Alcohol Strategies

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: For Determination

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

This report is presenting the tobacco control and alcohol strategies developed as key actions in the Healthier Lives pledge for adoption by Cabinet.

Decisions:

Councillor Chris Jones, Cabinet Member – Social Care and Health, said:

 

To have the best chance of improving their health then residents need to know what they are facing, what their options are, and where to go for help. Smoking and alcohol misuse are the leading causes of ill-health and early death in Wirral.

 

It’s vitally important we support every resident affected by these issues, and this Strategy describes how we will bring down the rates of smoking and alcohol misuse in the borough.”

 

Councillor Chris Jones introduced a report which informed that The Wirral Plan: A 2020 Vision set out a shared partnership vision to improve outcomes for Wirral residents. Delivery of the priorities and outcomes described in the Plan were underpinned by the development and implementation of a set of key strategies.

 

Appended to the report were copies of the Strategies developed to address both tobacco and alcohol use in the borough as outlined in the Wirral Plan Healthy Lives pledge: “We want all of our residents to have a good quality of life and live healthy lifestyles in clean and safe environments”.

 

Councillor Jones informed that these Strategies had been developed with residents, partners and stakeholders to ensure that there has been extensive engagement in their development and priority areas for action.

 

Tackling tobacco use in Wirral requires action to address individual, cultural and social influences on smoking behaviour.

 

The aim was also that Wirral become a place that promoted a responsible attitude towards alcohol and minimised the risks, harms and costs of alcohol misuse to allow individuals, families and communities to lead healthier and safer lives.

 

These matters affected all Wards within the borough and approval of both Strategies was key decision.

 

Councillor Bernie Moody informed that she had been involved with the development of the Strategies.  It had involved attendance on a 12 week course where those on it had been thoroughly grilled.  The amount of enthusiasm exhibited by the young people in attendance had been breath taking and consequently, hard work underpinned these Strategies.

 

Councillor Phil Davies considered that if the Council could work with people to quit smoking and/or reduce their alcohol intake it would clearly result in an improvement in their health.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That both the Tobacco and Alcohol Strategies be approved.

Report author: Julie Webster

Publication date: 21/06/2017

Date of decision: 19/06/2017

Decided at meeting: 19/06/2017 - Cabinet

Effective from: 29/06/2017

Accompanying Documents: