ABOUT US

We are the South East Smokefree Alliance

The South East Smokefree Alliance has been created to combine and accelerate efforts across the South East to eliminate smoking and tobacco use.

We have three big ambitions:

• To make the South East a smokefree region by 2030 (where less than 5% of the population smokes.)
• To prevent the 9, 918 premature deaths caused by tobacco use across the region each year
• To combine and accelerate work to reduce the harm and health inequalities caused by tobacco.

We will ensure that becoming a smoke free region and ending the inequalities caused by tobacco remain top public health priorities for the South East.

We strive to help and support people who smoke to quit for good and prevent children from being tempted to ever start smoking.

Who we are

The South East Smokefree Alliance are local authorities, directors of public health, healthcare professionals, sector experts and advisors – coming together with a strategic aim to make the South East a smokefree region by 2030.

Dr Sarah Milne (PhD, Health Psychology) is the inaugural lead of the South East Smokefree Alliance. Sarah works with 14 local authorities to develop and deliver the regional strategy towards a smokefree future.

What we do
We believe working at a regional level enables us to accelerate our efforts by working at scale across the South East, amplifying local action and strengthening its impact across the system, doing things once and cascading the impacts of our efforts for the benefit of many.

We will achieve this through four main pillars of activity:

Communication

• Organising large scale multi-channel public health campaigns across the region to encourage people who smoke to quit and help them find the local support in their area to help them quit for good.
• Being a constant presence in the media to ensure that ending the inequalities caused by tobacco smoking stay a focus and priority for all in our region.

Advocacy and Partnerships

• Building momentum by creating strong partnerships to help end smoking and build smokefree environments and communities across the South East.
• Advocating for local professionals and their communities at regional and national level and representing the South East at national strategic meetings.

Supporting Existing Expertise

• Creating and delivering specialist courses and continuing professional development opportunities, in response to local needs and requirements, to build the knowledge and skills of all our colleagues working in Local Stop Smoking Services, tobacco control and smokefree environments across the
  region.
• Creating opportunities to share best practise and discuss challenges in local tobacco control and smoking cessation work across the region.

Research

• We believe in the importance of an evidence-based approach to all our activities. As such, we strive to fill gaps in our understanding and evidence through conducting and commissioning research.
• We are building links and partnerships with academic institutions, such as The University of Bath, The University of Bristol and The University of Brighton.

Through collaboration, we will turn our collective ambitions into lasting results for our communities across the region.

Ending smoking takes more than treatment—it requires a united effort that brings together the expertise, resources, and commitment of every partner. By working collectively, we can create a South East where tobacco no longer harms the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Tell me more about the South East Smokefree Alliance