Scotland's Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation

Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation is an initiative to help reduce the harm caused by smoking and deliver a tobacco-free generation by 2034.

Scotland's Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation aims to:

• Support communities to improve people's health and wellbeing by addressing smoking.
• Inspire organisations to take action to reduce the harm caused by smoking and/or secondhand smoke in their communities.
• Raise awareness and contribute to the goal of creating a tobacco-free generation of Scots by 2034. 

 Click the links, or read on, to find out more about how you can get involved. 

• Why sign the Charter?
• Charter principles
• Make a pledge
• Support and resources

Why sign the Charter?

If you are working in Scotland to support people and communities, then you can be sure that they will be affected by smoking or secondhand smoke.

The costs of smoking fall most heavily on disadvantaged communities. Scotland's Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation supports organisations who are invested in the health, wealth and happiness of people, to be aware of the impact of smoking on their communities and ways they can respond.  

Health	Wealth	Happiness
Most adults who smoke started smoking as children, before the age of 18.	Smoking rates in the most deprived areas of Scotland are five times higher than in the least deprived.	Around two-thirds of Scottish smokers would like to stop smoking.
Over 9000 deaths are attributed to smoking in Scotland each year, accounting for 16% of all Scottish deaths.	If the smoking rate in the 20% most deprived areas of Scotland fell just 1%, Scotland’s poorest communities would save around £16 million a year in tobacco costs.	At least a third of tobacco is used by people with a diagnosed mental health issue.
There are nearly 100,000 smoking-related hospital admissions every year in Scotland, equating to 1923 a week, 274 a day or 11 admissions an hour.	The average financial cost to someone in Scotland who smokes is £143 a month, or £1,720 a year.	Stopping smoking is associated with improvements in depression, stress and anxiety.
On average, life-long smokers (who start early in adult life and never stop) die about 10 years sooner than non-smokers.	35% of deaths in Scotland's most deprived areas were from smoking-attributable causes, compared with 8% of deaths in the least deprived areas.	It's a common belief that smoking helps people relax. What can feel like stress relief, is usually relief from nicotine withdrawal and it sustains the cycle of addiction overtime.

Charter Principles

Scotland has a goal of creating a tobacco-free generation by 2034, meaning by 2034 less than 5% of adults will smoke. By supporting Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation, your organisation can help achieve this goal and improve health and wellbeing of the people and communities you work with.

Charter Supporters are helping to work towards a tobacco-free generation by 2034 by endorsing the following principles:

1. Everyone should be able to learn, work and play in places that are smoke-free.
2. Children have the right to be protected from the harmful effects of tobacco and enjoy a smoke-free environment;
3. Everyone should be equipped with information and effective education about smoking, health and wellbeing;
4. Everyone should be protected from commercial interests which profit from causing harm and recruiting new smokers;
5. Everyone should have access to free and accessible support to help them quit smoking.

Make a pledge

Over 400 organisations have pledged support for Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation.

Endorsing the Charter is free and a great way to help improve people's wellbeing. It shows your organisation's commitment to creating healthier, happier, and wealthier communities.

Becoming a Charter Supporter is easy:

1. Enter a few details about your organisation on our online form.
2. Pledge three actions that your organisation will take to improve the wellbeing of people you work with by addressing smoking (we can help guide you with pledges if you’re not sure where to start).
3. Access advice, support and resources from ASH Scotland’s Engagement Team to help you to deliver on your pledges.

Once you have registered, your organisation will be proudly displayed on our list of supporters. We will send you a welcome pack telling you about ways to get involved with the Charter, resources and support available to help realise your pledges.

Support and resources

Joining the Charter is free and as a Supporter you can expect to receive:

• A welcome pack including a certificate, window sticker and use of the Charter logo to display your support and commitment.
• Access to dedicated expert advice, ongoing support and free resources to help you to deliver on your Charter pledges.
• Training and learning opportunities to increase your staff and volunteers’ knowledge and confidence around smoking and tobacco issues.
• Opportunities to promote your work through the Charter network.

Contact admin@ashscotland.org.uk to arrange a conversation about how we can help you to improve to improve the health and wellbeing of people and communities by addressing smoking.