The NHS Smokefree Pledge
In January 2018, the Smokefree Action Coalition launched the NHS Smokefree Pledge, updating the NHS Statement of Support for Tobacco Control launched in 2014.
The Pledge is designed to be a clear and visible way for NHS organisations to show their commitment to helping smokers to quit and to providing smokefree environments which support them.
On No Smoking Day 2022 (9th March 2022), the NHS Smokefree Pledge was relaunched to bring it into line with the Government’s ambition for England to be smokefree by 2030 and commitments made to improve smoking cessation support available through the NHS in the NHS Long Term Plan. The Pledge’s relaunch took place alongside the relaunch of its sister document, the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control.
3 Steps to Signing the NHS Smokefree Pledge:
1. Read the Pledge Briefing
Before signing the NHS Smokefree Pledge, we advise reading the NHS Smokefree Pledge Briefing. This document provides important background information about the Pledge commitments and practical guidance and resources on their effective implementation.
2. Signing the Pledge
We encourage all NHS organisations to sign the NHS Smokefree Pledge. If your organisation has already signed the Pledge, review local policies and practice to make sure that the updated commitments are embedded into local plans and activity. The Pledge is meant to be a live document, not a one-time commitment.
Don’t forget to let us know when you sign the Pledge so we can celebrate your commitment and add you to the list of signatories.
3. Publicising your commitment
Once you have signed the pledge, you can add display buttons to your website to show visitors the positive action you’ve taken. The buttons are free and are available in square, landscape and high-res formats.
It’s also worth telling your local community about signing the NHS Smokefree Pledge. The public is supportive of efforts to reduce the harm caused by tobacco. If you’re sharing your good news on Twitter, be sure to use the hashtag #NHSPledge and tag @AshOrgUK.
Signatories
Case studies
Smokefree NHS Network
The Smokefree NHS Network is a collaborative network of members from across the NHS, local authorities and charitable organisations working to implement or improve tobacco dependency treatment services.
As tobacco dependence treatment services mature, we will broaden the focus of the network to cover other initiatives that help to create a Smokefree NHS and contribute to ending the harms of tobacco.
To find out more about the network click here
Click here to join to the Smokefree NHS Network.