Smoking Cuts Could Cost Lives - Teather

5.17.45pm GMT Thu 26th Apr 2007

Sarah has met with Health Bosses to discuss cuts to local services

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East, Sarah Teather, has condemned Brent tPCT's decision to axe services aimed at helping people to stop smoking.

The 2005/2006 Public Health report shows that smoking caused 1020 hospital admissions in Brent and accounted for 19 beds occupied per day, at a cost of £1.8million. One in six deaths in Brent are caused by smoking, and a quarter of all deaths amongst men.

Last year at least 1000 people in Brent quit smoking after using the tPCT's Stop Smoking Services. Since the service was introduced in 2003, over 3,500 Brent smokers have been given the help they need to kick the habit.

Yet the tPCT intends to axe Stop Smoking Services, withdrawing support and advice from those smokers who want to quit.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather said:

"Cutting services to help people stop smoking will place an extra burden on our hospitals in the long term. Treating smoking related illnesses costs our NHS millions. The real tragedy is that these illnesses could be avoided.

"Smoking accounts for one in every four Brent men who die. I am astonished that the tPCT do not consider Stop Smoking Services to be important. Anyone can see that axing these services will cost lives.

"This is yet another example of the Government's gross mismanagement of our local health services. The tPCT is being asked to make huge savings with little thought for the long term future of our community. The damning consequences of this slash and burn policy will be felt for years.

"Once these services are gone they are lost forever. Many people in Brent want to quit smoking. The Government must urgently guarantee to give them the help that they need."