Smoking is the primary cause of accidental fires.
Merton firefighters are urging people across the borough to give up smoking this summer.
In partnership with the council, all Merton firefighters have completed their NHS level one intervention training, which allows them to signpost smokers to a free six-week programme to help them kick the habit.
London Fire Brigade’s Merton Borough Commander Rick Ogden said he believes the partnership will have a positive effect.
“We are pleased that our fire fighters are joining forces with Merton Council’s public health team to help those people who want to give up smoking, kick the habit,” he said.
“As well as being damaging to health, cigarettes are a primary cause of accidental fires in the home,” he said.
Merton Fire Brigade conducts over 800 home safety visits each year, and the added training will improve the health and wellbeing of the residents concerned as well as reducing the risk of fire.
The LiveWell stop smoking service has been shown to help even the most hardened smokers quit and Cabinet member for adult social care and health, Councillor Linda Kirby, said it is a great example of the council’s success in taking responsibility for public health.
“Smoking has a major impact on a person’s health and working with our colleagues in the Fire Service will help us spread the message that we have an excellent service ready to support residents to stop smoking,” she said.
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