t2 Achievers Edge edition 51 May – July 22

May - July 2022

t2group.co.uk

edge achievers

edition 51

Inside This Issue

Careers in Health & Social Care Online Safety Sexual harassment at work Are you Mental Health Aware?

What is Biodiversity?

Smoke-free Wales by 2030

INSIDE

DOMESTIC ABUSE - THE FACTS World Refugee Day / Why Donating Blood is Important - See inside for details

What’s on around the UK? May

June

July

9 Welsh National Rally Championship 2022

2 Queen’s Jubilee

18-21 Royal Welsh Show

2-5 HowTheLightGetsIn

28-8 Commonwealth Games

14 FA Cup Final Liverpool v Chelsea

14-18 Ascot 18-19 Tafwyl 2022 19 Father’s Day 27-10 Wimbledon

ESDGC and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Events 2022 May

June

July

4 International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression

1 World Aids Day

4 Independence Day

5 World Environment Day

17 World Day for International Justice

14 World Fair Trade Day

8 World Oceans Day

17 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

10 Human Rights Day

30 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

20 World Refugee Day 22 International Day for Biological Diversity

12 World Day Against Child Labour 14-20 Men’s Health Week 16 International Day of Tolerance 20 International Human Solidarity

Health & Well-being Events 2022 May

June

July

2-8 Deaf Awareness Week

14-20 Men’s Health Week

1-31 Sarcoma Awareness Month

8 World Red Cross Day

14 World Blood Donor Day

28 World Hepatitis Day

9-15 Mental Health Awareness Week

17 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought

30 Gastroschisis Awareness Day

12 National M.E. Awareness Day 30 World MS Day

21 International Day of Yoga

Safeguarding Events 2022 May

June

July

3-8 Maternal Mental Health Week

6 National Neuro-Disabilities Day 2022

10-15 Mental Health Awareness Week

7-12 National Growing for Wellbeing Week 2022

24 The Big Listen (Samaritans)

16 National Children’s Day UK 2022

7-12 Child Safety Week 2022 13-17 Loneliness Awareness Week 2022 14-19 Learning Disability Week 2022

Careers in Health & Social Care We have recently launched our new career progression website Careers in Health & Social Care.

This website shows the wide range of career progression pathways available to learners and has real life case studies of learners who have progressed their careers with the help of t2.

Please take the time to have a quick look and discuss it with your PDM at your next learning review, this will enable them to ensure that your training programme is aligned perfectly with your career aspirations.

Typical career progression opportunities that many of our learners follow:

LEVEL

5

Level 5 Leader in Adult Care Apprenticeship Standard Typical roles include: Care Home Manager, Registered Manager, Unit Manager, Service Manager

Level 4 Lead Practitioner in Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship Standard Typical roles include: Deputy Care Home Manager, Assistant Manager, Dementia Lead

LEVEL

4

Level 3 Lead Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship Standard

Level 2 Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship Standard

3

Typical roles include: Care Assistant, Care Worker, Support Worker, Personal Assistant

LEVEL

2

Typical roles include: Healthcare Assistant Practitioner in a variety of settings including: Cancer services, Physiotherapy, Genito-Urinary Medicine, Orthopaedics, Hospice Care, Mental Health, Social Care, Occupational Therapy, Learning Disablities

Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship Standard LEVEL

Typical roles include: Care Supervisor, Senior Care Worker, Senior Support Worker

Level 5 Healthcare Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship Standard

Typical roles include: Senior Healthcare Worker in a variety of settings including: Adult nursing support, Maternity support, Theatre support, Mental Health support, Allied health professional therapy support

Level 2 Adult Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship Standard Typical roles include: Health Care Support Worker, Health Care Assistant

Online safety All UK banks over recent weeks have been adopting a new security standard (PSD2) when making online payments. This standard requires authentication via text or through an app/card reader whenever a new payment is set up.

Has this affected you? Are you aware of the wider online safety issues relating to you: Never click on any link in a text or email unless you absolutely know it has come from a reputable source Check whether an email or text is genuine without opening it or clicking on any links Ensure that service users and/or your children are safe online

Why not watch this great video of how you can keep safe on line:

Watch video now

Sexual harassment at work Nearly half of women who experienced in-work harassment encountered it online, a report has found, warning that employers are putting too much emphasis on women reporting harassment and not enough on preventative measures.

A report from the Fawcett Society found 45 per cent of women who had experienced harassment encountered it online through sexual messages, cyber harassment and sexual calls.

Almost a quarter of women who had been sexually harassed said the harassment had increased or escalated since the start of the pandemic while they were working from home.

We have developed an excellent video guide explaining what exactly sexual harassment is and what to do about it.

Why not watch this great video of what exactly sexual harassment is:

Watch video now

Domestic Abuse Domestic abuse, also known as domestic violence, can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, gender, religion, sexuality, or ethnicity. However, statistics show that most domestic abuse is carried out by men and experienced by women. Whilst domestic abuse can happen to anyone, some people can be more at risk - for instance, people who are dependent on others for care or financial needs, those with substance or alcohol dependence, or those with mental ill-health.

Domestic abuse: the facts might surprise you

So, what does domestic abuse look like? Well, domestic abuse can take many forms. It can be direct and overt, or it can also be more subtle and therefore less easy for individuals to identify. Here are some of the forms of domestic abuse explained:

845,734 domestic abuse crimes were recorded across England and Wales in the year to March 2021, an increase of 6% from the previous year

According to the Office for National Statistics: In the year ending March 2020, an estimated 2.3 million adults aged 16 to 74 years experienced domestic abuse in the last year (1.6 million women and 757,000 men)

Psychological abuse

18% of all crime recorded was due to domestic abuse in the year to March 2021

This can include name-calling, threats, manipulation, blaming you for the abuse, or ‘gas-lighting’ you.

Almost one in three women aged 16-59 will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime

Economic or financial abuse

16% of men are affected by domestic violence during their adult lifetimes

This can include controlling your access to money or resources.

The perpetrator might take your wages, stop you from working, or put you in debt.

Sexual abuse This may be physical and could include sexual assault. You might otherwise be manipulated or coerced into doing things of a sexual nature that you don’t want to do.

Coercive control This is when an abuser uses a pattern of behaviour over time to exert power and control over your life, freedoms, and free will.

Physical abuse This is not only hitting. They might physically restrain you or throw objects. They might pinch or shove you and claim it’s a ‘joke’.

Technological abuse The perpetrator might send abusive texts, demand access to your devices, track you with spyware, or share images of you online.

33% of all domestic violence homicides happened on workplace grounds and 76% of those victims were women

Domestic abuse during Covid-19?

Covid-19 has not caused domestic abuse, only abusers are responsible for their actions. The pandemic has, however, escalated abuse and closed access to safe spaces and support organisations.

Survivors contacting services reported escalating abuse and having to live in lockdown with an abuser due to Covid-19. Individuals in lockdown with their abuser have been less able to get breathing space away from their situation. It has been harder to text or phone to get support from friends and family, and specialist support services and children caught in the middle of domestically abusive home situations have not had the same level of the respite school or nursery can offer, which is often a safe space to access support. Although lockdown restrictions have now been lifted, these issues still remain.

The Domestic Abuse Act The aim of the Domestic Abuse Bill was to raise awareness and understanding about the devastating impact of domestic abuse on victims and their families. It passed both Houses of Parliament and was signed into law on 29 April 2021. The Domestic Abuse Act is set to provide further protections to the millions of people who experience domestic abuse, as well as strengthen measures to tackle perpetrators. You can find out more about the Domestic Abuse Act here https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2021/04/29/ domesticabuseactfactsheet/

Ask for ANI The government has launched the Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) codeword scheme to enable victims of domestic abuse to access immediate help from the police, or other support services, in the safety of their local pharmacy. Most pharmacies will have private consultation rooms available, and staff have often already undergone training on safeguarding. For many victims affected by domestic abuse, they will be allowed by the abuser to seek medical assistance through a pharmacy. By asking a member of staff in the pharmacy for ANI, individuals can be helped discreetly with their situation.

I think I’m being subjected to domestic abuse - where can I get help and support?

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police.

• If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, call 999 and • listen to the questions from the operator and, if you can, respond by coughing or tapping on the handset.

Call 999 from a mobile.

• If prompted, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard, and this will transfer your call to the police.

Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location.

Call 999 from a landline • If the operator can only hear background noise and cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, you will be connected to a police call handler. If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick up again.

If you are deaf or can’t verbally communicate you can register with •

the emergency SMS service. Text REGISTER to 999. You will get a text which tells you what to do next. Do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger.

If you are not in immediate need of help, there are a range of helpline numbers that you can contact to suit your circumstances:

If you are not in immediate need of help, there are a range of helpline numbers that you can contact to suit your circumstances:

Organisation

Contact

Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Phone/TypeTalk: 0808 2000 247

Free confidential support 24 hours a day to victims and those who are worried about friends/loved ones

or visit www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk to access further information, the live chat service or contact form to book a safe time for a call.

Wales Live Fear Free Helpline

Phone: 0808 8010 800 ot TypeTalk: 18001 080 8801 Text: 078600 77 333 https://gov.wales/live-fear-free

Help and advice about violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence

Men’s Advice Line Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse

Galop National LGBTQ+ domestic abuse helpline and webchat service

Women’s Aid live chat service

Phone: 0808 801 0327 info@mensadviceline.org.uk http://www.mensadviceline.org.uk Phone: 0800 999 5428 help@galop.org.uk www.galop.org.uk https://chat.womensaid.org.uk

Mon-Fri 10am-4pm and Sat-Sun 10am-12pm You can also find your local domestic abuse service on their website

Karma Nirvana

Phone: 0800 5999 247

National helpline for victims of honour-based abuse, forced marriage and domestic abuse

support@karmanirvana.org.uk or send a secure message via the website - https://karmanirvana.org.uk/contact

Hestia

Download the free mobile app, Bright Sky https://www.hestia.org/brightsky

Support and information for anyone who might be in an abusive relationship

Hourglass Confidential helpline for anyone concerned about abuse of an older person

Chayn

Phone: 0808 808 8141 https://wearehourglass.org

https://chayn.co

Online help and resources in several languages about identifying manipulative situations and how friends can help

Muslim Women’s Network Helpline National specialist faith and culturally sensitive helpline that is confidential and free to access

NSPCC female genital mutilation (FGM) helpline If you are worried about a child at risk or someone who has already undergone FGM

Victim Support Free confidential 24/7 support line for victims of crimes and free 24/7 live chat support in England and Wales

Crimestoppers Anonymously report suspicions of domestic abuse online or call free

National Stalking Helpline For victims of stalking, their friends, family and professionals Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri 9:30am-4pm, Wed 1-4pm

Phone: 0800 999 5786 Text: 07415 206 936 info@mwnhelpline.co.uk http://www.mwnuk.co.uk/Helpline_181_c.php Phone: 0800 028 3550 fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-ofabuse/female-genital-mutilation-fgm Phone: 0808 16 89 111 https://www.victimsupport.org.uk Live chat - https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/help-andsupport/get-help/support-near-you/live-chat Phone: 0800 555 111 https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/giveinformation-anonymously Phone: 0808 802 0300 https://www.suzylamplugh.org/forms/national-stalkinghelpline-enquiry-form

World Refugee Day World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20th and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognise their resilience in rebuilding their lives.

World Refugee Day aims to build awareness, and encourage communities to offer support to refugees and make them welcome.

Also, it hopes to bring recognition to the communities of people around the world who are currently living under the threat of war, persecution, violence, conflict, natural disasters, and other unsafe conditions.

What is a refugee?

A refugee is someone who had to leave their home and country, as they are unable to stay. It may be due to oppression, war, natural disasters and more. Refugees can be anyone, including individuals, families, and children. Refugees are often unable to return to their home country as it would not be safe for them to do so. International charity Save the Children recognises more than 25 million refugees worldwide.

Where are Ukraine’s refugees going?

Why is it important to help refugees?

No matter where we come from, what our nationality or religion is, or what lifestyles we lead, all humans deserve the same, equal rights.

Everyone wants to protect their family and offer them a better life, and this is a natural survival instinct.

The reality is, that anyone could be a refugee, because it is due to unfortunate circumstances, and by no fault of the person. That’s why it’s important to fight for justice and peace alongside one another and help those that have been unfortunate enough to have to abandon their home and leave everything that they know behind and start their lives again.

How to help Ukraine’s refugees?

The government has announced how many people are coming to the UK through its “Homes for Ukraine” scheme.

It lets people in the UK host refugees who don’t have family ties here and was introduced after the government was criticised for not doing enough to help refugees fleeing the Ukraine conflict.

Anyone in the UK - of any nationality, providing they have at least six months leave to remain in the UK - can apply to be a host through the government website - https://www.gov.uk/register-interesthomes-ukraine

In the first five weeks of the war between Ukraine and Russia, more than four million refugees from Ukraine crossed borders into neighbouring countries, and many more have been forced to move.

You must be able to host the refugees in your own home or in another property, for at least six months.

The UN says that as of 19 April, more than five million people have left Ukraine:

Those offering to house refugees will be vetted by the government, and Ukrainian applicants will also undergo security checks before being matched with a host.

Slovakia

342,813

Belarus

23,759

Moldova

426,964 Hungary

471,080 Russia

549,805 Romania

757,047 Some people have travelled from Moldova into Romania and so are included in both countries’ totals.

Poland

2,825,463

Charities, businesses, and community groups will also be able to apply.

Local authorities will check that properties are fit to host refugees, and DBS checks will be carried out for those hosting children and vulnerable adults.

Are you Mental What does mental health mean?

Everyone has mental health in the same way that everyone has physical health, and just like physical health whether it is good, or poor can change over time. You may also hear mental health referred to as ‘emotional health’ and is often included when we talk about our wellbeing in general. When we are in good mental health, we find it easier to cope with life and the challenges it can bring, whether that is at home, work, or school. The state of our mental health can affect relationships with family and friends and impact our outlook on life and what we want to achieve.

As we move through life our circumstances change. We may experience setbacks or traumatic events which can affect people in different ways - how we react to or ‘bounce back’ from these can vary.

An event that one person may take in their stride may take someone else a long time to recover from emotionally.

Common mental health conditions Whilst everyone experiences changes in their emotional health, some individuals can be diagnosed with mental health conditions which means they may be less resilient and may need some support or intervention to help them overcome the challenges they are facing.

Mental health illness can affect anyone at any point in their lives and approximately one-quarter of people in the UK have a diagnosed mental health condition. Whilst mental health awareness is improving, there is still all too often stigma attached to mental health illness and because of this people can find it difficult to talk about their issues or access help and support.

How can I support someone with their mental health?

It can be difficult to see someone you know become unwell or distressed but you don’t have to be an expert in mental health to support them – small everyday actions can make a big difference.

1. Show support Don’t be afraid to ask someone how they are – reaching outlets the person know they don’t have to avoid the issue and lets them know you care about them. It will also help you understand more about what they are experiencing.

2. Ask how you can help Don’t assume you know what they need. Once you understand what they need, depending on your role in their life or relationship with them, you may be able to offer them further support.

3. Don’t just focus on their mental health Ask about their life in general – people aren’t defined just by their mental health. Don’t be afraid to discuss things you would usually talk about and take a genuine interest in them and what’s happening in their life:

Mental health conditions can cover a broad range, and some may be more familiar to you than others. Whilst this list isn’t exhaustive, here are some examples:

Depression

Stress

Psychosis Bipolar Disorder

Body Dysmorphic Disorder

Phobias

Anxiety and Panic Attack

Hoarding Self Harm

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Low Self-esteem

Schizophrenia Mental Health Awareness Week Dissociation and dissociative disorders The Mental Health Foundation has announced the dates and theme

Eating Disorders

You can find more information on these and other mental health conditions by following the link below to Mind, the mental health charity https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-ofmental-health-problems/

of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week. It will run from Monday 9 May until Sunday 15 May 2022. The week will explore the experience of loneliness, its effect on our mental health, and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities. The pandemic has seen loneliness made worse by self-isolation away from family and friends and with the changing dynamic of many workplaces to a more remote-working or hybrid culture (where positions allow), we are reducing our face-to-face contact and socialisation even further.

You can find out more about Mental health Awareness Week and the Mental Health Foundation here https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ news/mental-health-foundation-announces-loneliness-thememental-health-awareness-week-2022

Health Aware?

Where can I get support with my mental health?

Other support links

At t2, we have a team of mental health first aiders who are here to signpost you to services that can support with how you are feeling.

Including urgent help, self-referral to counselling and therapies, and local mental health services

Emma Pridmore

emma.pridmore@t2group.co.uk

Stacy Preston

stacy.preston@t2group.co.uk

Faye Giles

faye.giles@t2group.co.uk

You can also access further support on the “Struggling with your mental health?” section of our Learner Support website https://www.t2group.co.uk/mental-health-support.html If you feel you need to speak to someone immediately please access the Samaritans website https://www.samaritans.org/wales/ how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/getting-help

https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool

RELIGIOUSFESTIVALS Religious festivals during May – July 2022 1 May END OF RAMADAN Muslim

2 May EID-UL-FITR/FEAST OF FAST BREAKING (1st Shawwal) Muslim This is a time once the fast of Ramadan has been completed for making gifts to the poor. Families get together and contact friends, especially those who live far away. The community assembles for Eid prayer and a sermon at its mosques. The traditional greeting is ‘Eid Mubarak’ – ‘a happy and blessed Eid’.

16 May VESAKHA PUJA / WESAK / BUDDHA DAY Buddhist Wesak is the biggest of Buddhist festivals. Theravadins celebrate the birth, enlightenment, and final passing away of Gautama Buddha.

Houses are decorated with lanterns and garlands, and temples are ringed with little oil lamps.

13 June PENTECOST Christian (Orthodox Churches) An important festival in the Christian year, Pentecost is often seen as the ‘birthday’ of the Church, since this is when the disciples of Jesus first proclaimed the Gospel after receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.

It is named after the Jewish festival day on which this event happened.

1 July (Friday) RATHA YATRA Hindu ‘Chariot journey’. This is observed most notably at Puri in the Indian state of Orissa, where processions of thousands of devotees pull huge waggons (rathas) supporting images of Krishna. The festival and others like it are celebrated in Britain with processions through various parts of London on appropriate Sundays

10 July - 22 July EID-UL-ADHA / THE FESTIVAL OF SACRIFICE (10th Dhul-Hijjah) Muslim This major festival (al-Eid al-Kabir) commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Muslims all over the world sacrifice an animal if they can afford it. Much of the meat is distributed to the poor, and some is shared with relatives and friends.

Why Donating Blood is Important Giving blood saves lives. The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments.

Why do we need you to give blood?

New blood donors from all backgrounds are needed to ensure there is the right blood available for patients who need it.

Blood needed: Nearly 400 new donors a day to meet demand

What to know before you donate Here are some important things to know before you donate: You need to be 17 or older to donate whole blood. Some states allow you to donate at 16 with parental consent.

You have to weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health to donate.

Around 135,000 new donors a year to replace those who can no longer donate

You need to provide information about medical conditions and any medications you’re taking. These may affect your eligibility to donate blood.

40,000 more black donors to meet growing demand for bettermatched blood

You must wait at least 8 weeks between whole blood donations and 16 weeks between double red cell donations.

30,000 new donors with priority blood types such as O negative every year

Platelet donations can be made every 7 days, up to 24 times per year.

More young people to start giving blood so we can make sure we have enough blood in the future Donating blood has benefits for your emotional and physical health.

According to a report by the Mental Health Foundation, helping others can: reduce stress improve your emotional wellbeing benefit your physical health help get rid of negative feelings provide a sense of belonging and reduce isolation Research has found further evidence of the health benefits that come specifically from donating blood.

Free health checkup In order to give blood, you’re required to undergo a health screening.

A trained staff member performs this checkup. They’ll check your: pulse blood pressure body temperature hemoglobin levels This free mini-physical can offer excellent insight into your health.

It can effectively detect problems that could indicate an underlying medical condition or risk factors for certain diseases.

Your blood is also tested for several diseases. These include: Hepatitis B Hepatitis C HIV West Nile virus Syphilis Trypanosoma cruzi

The following are some suggestions to help you prepare for donating blood: Drink an extra 16 ounces of water before your appointment.

Eat a healthy meal that’s low in fat.

Wear a short-sleeved shirt or a shirt with sleeves that are easy to roll up.

Let the staff know if you have a preferred arm or vein and if you prefer to sit up or lie down. Listening to music, reading, or talking to someone else can help you relax during the donation process.

For more information please visit - https://www.blood.co.uk/

What is Biodiversity?

The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is commonly referred to as biodiversity.

The number of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the enormous diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth.

Appropriate conservation and sustainable development strategies attempt to recognise this as being integral to any approach to preserving biodiversity. Almost all cultures have their roots in our biological diversity in some way or form.

That is quite a lot of services we get for free!

The cost of replacing these (if possible) would be extremely expensive.

It therefore makes economic and development sense to move towards sustainability.

A report from Nature magazine also explains that genetic diversity helps to prevent the chances of extinction in the wild (and claims to have shown proof of this).

Declining biodiversity is therefore a concern for many reasons.

To prevent the well-known and well documented problems of genetic defects caused by in-breeding, species need a variety of genes to ensure successful survival. Without this, the chance of extinction increases.

Biodiversity boosts ecosystem productivity where each species, no matter how small, all have an important role to play.

And as we start destroying, reducing, and isolating habitats, the chances for interaction from species with a large gene pool decreases.

For example,

While there might be “survival of the fittest” within a given species, each species depends on the services provided by other species to ensure survival. It is a type of cooperation based on mutual survival and is often what a “balanced ecosystem” refers to.

A larger number of plant species means a greater variety of crops Greater species diversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and recover from a variety of disasters.

And so, while we dominate this planet, we still need to preserve the diversity in wildlife.

Healthy biodiversity provides a number of natural services for everyone: Ecosystem services, such as Protection of water resources Soils formation and protection Nutrient storage and recycling Pollution breakdown and absorption Contribution to climate stability Maintenance of ecosystems Recovery from unpredictable events Biological resources, such as Food Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs Wood products Ornamental plants Breeding stocks, population reservoirs Future resources Diversity in genes, species, and ecosystems Social benefits, such as Research, education, and monitoring Recreation and tourism Cultural values

Smoke-free Wales by 2030 Following the announcement in 2019, by UK Gov that it aims for England to be smoke-free by 2030, the Welsh Government finally set its own target last year.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, however, smoke-free does not actually mean that no one in Wales is expected to be smoking past 2030.

Current statistics suggest that 14% of people in Wales are smokers and 16% in England – by 2030, both governments intend this figure to have been reduced to a maximum of 5%.

Last year, Wales became the first of the Four Nations to ban smoking on hospital grounds, on school grounds and in public playgrounds.

As of March 1st, this year, smoking will also be completely banned in hotels and guest houses and self-contained holiday accommodation such as holiday cottages and caravans. It also includes accommodation booked through services like Airbnb.

It is the government’s intention to make smoke free environments the norm and part of their smoke free Wales strategy includes preventing children from taking up smoking in the first place as well as improving smoking cessation support from the NHS. The government’s literature on the subject also suggests that the illegal tobacco trade will come under particular scrutiny with the intention that it be stamped out altogether. If you are surprised to hear that an illegal tobacco trade even exists, you are not alone! According to the government, it has links to organised crime which makes it about more than simply making Wales smoke free.

According to the BBC, illegal cigarettes with a street value of £280,000 were seized last year alone. The issue with illegal cigarettes is the fact that children can buy them readily so although their street value in the grand scheme things does not seem like a huge amount, it is food for thought…

You might also be interested in: Illegal tobacco: HMRC and Trading Standards seize one million cigarettes in Wales BBC News A SMOKE-FREE WALES - Our Long Term Tobacco Control Strategy for Wales gov.wales No ifs, no butts - Wales Illegal Tobacco Campaign YouTube Philip Morris calls for UK to ban cigarettes by 2030 YouTube

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