Tobacco Free Galway City
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Ireland. Each year almost 6,000 people die from tobacco related diseases. Tobacco smoke is not only harmful to the smoker but also to those exposed to second-hand smoke.
The Healthy Galway City Strategy aims to create a Tobacco Free Galway City. This journey has already begun, with a number of smoke-free initiatives rolled out in the city in 2018. In 2021, Healthy Galway City aim to expand the number and range of smoke-free places and spaces in the city.
Not Around Us
Not Around Us is about promoting an environment where it is easier for those who smoke to quit, and stay quit, and to help de-normalise smoking for the next generation.
The purpose of Not Around Us is to:
• Help protect children and young people from second-hand smoke exposure.
• Contribute to the denormalisation of smoking for children and young people.
• Reduce environmental nuisance, cost of cleaning and damage that discarded tobacco products create.
• Signpost to HSE QUIT services.
How to get involved:
Not Around Us signage will be made available free of charge to interested not for profit groups or organisations, schools, and early years services.
To get involved simply complete the Expression of Interest form.
The professionally designed and manufactured signage is for use in outdoor places and spaces where children and young people are likely to be.
Information leaflets will also be provided to help participating organisations communicate the Not Around Us message with those visiting their building.
What can you do to support Not Around Us?
• Don’t smoke in places where children and young people are likely to be.
• Support participating organisations and be a positive role model for children and young people.
• Spread the Not Around Us message with family and friends.
Collaboration:
Healthy Galway City and Galway Children and Young People Services Committee (CYPSC) are leading the Not Around Us initiative for Galway, in partnership with a range of stakeholders, including the HSE, Healthy Galway County, Galway City Council, Galway County Council, Galway City Comhairle na nÓg, Youth Work Ireland Galway, Galway Childcare Committee, Galway City Partnership, Croí, and Galway Public Libraries.
Not Around Us is funded through the Healthy Ireland Fund which is supported by the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
Useful resources:
• Expression of Interest Form (as Gaeilge)
• Guidance Document for Interested Groups/ Organisations (as Gaeilge)
• Not Around Us Information Leaflet (as Gaeilge)
• Not Around Us Charter (as Gaeilge)
• Towards a Tobacco Free Generation Graphic
For more information:
Galway City:
Ashling Jennings, Healthy Galway City Coordinator
085 8217547
Galway County:
Andrew McBride, Healthy Galway County Coordinator
087 7777790
Other Smoke-Free Initiatives
Smoke-free homes
Protect the health of your family by making your home smoke-free. The smoke-free homes initiative was rolled out in Galway City in 2018. Download the smoke-free homes leaflet to find out how you can make your home smoke-free.
Smoke-free playgrounds
Help to protect children from exposure to second-hand smoke and denormalise tobacco use for future generations. With the support of the Healthy Ireland, smoke-free signs were installed in all of Galway City Council’s playgrounds in 2018. The signs inform the public that the playgrounds are smoke-free areas and also provide information on support for people to quit smoking.
For a list of playgrounds in Galway City click here.
Smoke-free cars
Smoking in an enclosed space such as a car greatly increases the concentration of harmful chemicals produced by second-hand smoke. In Ireland, it is illegal to smoke in cars where children are present (Protection of Children’s Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Act 2014)
Need help to quit?
There is help available if you smoke and would like to stop. The QUIT service from the HSE provides help, information and advice on quitting smoking.
For information and support to quit smoking, visit QUIT.ie or contact QUIT Smoking West by phone 091 737262 or email quitsmoking.west@hse.ie.
National Policy
The Tobacco Free Ireland programme was launched in October 2013. It sets a target for Ireland to have a smoking prevalence rate of less than 5% by 2025, effectively making the country a tobacco free society.
Resources
Useful website: QUIT.ie
A range of printed materials, including information on quitting smoking, are now available to download, or order, from healthpromotion.ie/publications.
