Smoke Free Homes

Protect your family from tobacco smoke in your home

Rushmoor Borough Council, Smoke Free Hampshire & IOW and Hampshire PCT NHS have joined together to set up a Smoke Free Homes scheme for Rushmoor.

We are asking people to help make Rushmoor smoke free, by taking our Smokefree Homes pledge. By signing up you are agreeing to protect children and other people, by not smoking in your house or car. If you smoke, you're pledging to smoke outside.

Colin Alborough, Rushmoor Borough Council's Environmental Health Manager, described the scheme to BBC Southern Counties Radio's Fred Marden. You can download the interview HERE.

What's the best thing about having a smoke free home?

• Your children will be healthier - they'll get fewer colds
• Your home will be cleaner and fresher, and it won't need decorating as often
• Your eyes and nose will no longer be irritated by smoke
• Your pets will be healthier and smell sweeter
• There'll be less risk of your home catching fire

What can I do?

Make sure smokers go outside to smoke, so the air inside your home is clean for everyone.

Protect children by keeping their playing, sleeping and eating areas completely smoke free.

Avoid smoking in the car - smoke is more concentrated in confined spaces.

Make sure you dispose of all smoking materials properly. Tobacco is designed to continue burning - so stub it out, right out.

Practical Steps

• Set up a smoking area outside
• Place an ashtray by the back door
• Remove ashtrays and lighters from inside your home
• Place no-smoking stickers inside your home and car

Will I upset my family and visitors by making my home smoke free?

Your friends and family will support you, they might want to do it too. Tell them that you are only asking them not to smoke in your home, not to give up smoking altogether. Explain that tobacco smoke is harmful, especially to children.

A smoke free home

You may notice:

• You are smoking fewer cigarettes
• Others in the family are breathing more easily
• You are able to smell your food better
• You don't get so many headaches
• You take fewer days off sick
• You need to decorate less often.

Make your home smoke free

You can pledge to make you home smoke free by completing our Online Pledge Form.

Where can I get help if I want to stop smoking?

The NHS Quit4Life service (www.hampshirepct.nhs.uk/index/lifestyles/smoking.htm) offers free, friendly help and professional support. Call them on 0845 602 4663 to find out what support is available, including free nicotine replacement patches, gum and lozenges.

More fires in the home are caused by smoking than any other single cause

To book a free fire safety visit, please contact: Tel: 02380 626 809 Visit: www.hantsfire.gov.uk/yoursafety

Rushmoor Healthy Living

Rushmoor Healthy Living works to improve the health and well-being of people of all ages in our local community. www.rushmoorhealthyliving.org.uk