Support to tackle harms of smoking

The charity is encouraging charities in the local area and across Angus to tackle the harms caused by smoking.

As part of its initiative encouraging support for Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation by 2034, the health charity is offering community groups a small grant of £500 to cover salary, travel or material costs associated with engaging people in their community about the harms caused by tobacco.

Successful applicants will have access to free expert advice, training and resources to increase their staff and volunteers’ knowledge of smoking issues, and assistance to create an action plan to deliver their charter pledges.Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said local organisations are ideally placed to carry out the campaign.

She said: “Community groups are embedded in their local areas and their staff and volunteers are widely trusted.

"ASH Scotland recognises they have a vital role to play in improving people’s health and well-being through helping to address the long-term threats of smoking tobacco.

“We would particularly encourage applications for the support package and small grant from organisations in areas of multiple deprivation, which support people facing the greatest challenges to good health, including those experiencing poverty, mental health problems, homelessness, young carers, or people who are care experienced.

“We invite local organisations across Angus committed to improving wellbeing in their communities to work with us to increase knowledge about tobacco, and the relatively rapid benefits which giving up smoking brings including improving mental health, and halving the risk of coronary heart disease within a year of stopping.”

For details about how to apply for the support and grant before the November 28 deadline, visit the small grants section on the charity’s website at www.ashscotland.org.uk or email: [email protected]

ASH Scotland is also encourages anyone in Angus who is aiming to give up smoking to contact their local stop smoking service, community pharmacy or call Quit Your Way Scotland on 0800 848484 or visit Quit Your Way Scotland on NHS Inform’s website.