Smoking and alcohol misuse pose significant health problems for Nottinghamshire. While smoking is the main cause of avoidable illness and premature death in the UK, the harm caused by alcohol misuse costs £20 billion annually. Smoking and alcohol misuse are closely associated with cancer, coronary heart disease, strokes, accidents, suicide and self-harm.
A significant improvement to the life expectancy and quality of life for the people of Nottinghamshire will be achieved if the Partnership tackles smoking and alcohol misuse.
By addressing this priority in a partnership arrangement, links could be found between smoking, alcohol use, social inequalities, cancer and crime. Linkages will shape interventions aimed at reducing smoking prevalence and alcohol related harm, which will provide added-value to existing efforts in the sector.
The Nottinghamshire average smoking prevalence for 16+ is 30%, higher than the national average of 27%.
Alcohol related hospital admission rates in Nottinghamshire match the average for England, but increasing alcohol misuse by young people is a concern which impacts on crime and health. Problem drinkers in Nottinghamshire are most likely to be 18-24 year old binge drinkers, drinkers under the age of 18, and adult drinkers not aware of the damaging effects of alcohol.
