World No Tobacco Day 2022: Tobacco and our Environment
The World Health Organisation (WHO) promote ‘World No Tobacco Day’ every year on 31st May and this year the theme is the Environment. WHO is urging all health professionals to think beyond the direct health impacts of smoking and consider the ways tobacco threatens the environment.
Within the health arena, it is well documented how environmental factors are so closely interlinked and can often be traced as the root cause of poor health and wellbeing. Therefore, we must work together, taking action in promoting the elimination of tobacco smoking, so that locally and globally we can play our part in pushing the transformation required to protect the environment and ensure an improved future for all. Looking after our environment is a global challenge and we must all take responsibility.
The Stop Smoking Team welcome legislation, which saw public places become Smoke Free and recently legislation to make it an offence to smoke in a private vehicle, but much more could be done to protect the air we breathe and the environment we live in. Belfast Trust has been Smoke Free for 5 years and we have a Smoke Free Policy in place for staff, patients and visitors. There are also many helpful resources available on the Loop Smoke Free (sharepoint.com).
If you require advice and support to stop smoking or to refer a patient, please contact the Stop Smoking Service on 028950 46714 or e-mail stopsmoking@belfasttrust.hscni.net or make a referral using the following link: Smoking Cessation Team (belfasttrust.local)
