Report on Alcohol Abuse and Smoking Must be Acted On

6.50.53pm GMT Fri 27th Mar 2009

Following the publication of the Annual Report from Dr Liz Robin of the Cambridgeshire Primary Care Trust for 2008, local Liberal Democrats have singled out two key elements amongst the many recommendations that they believe require urgent action.

Councillor Geoff Heathcock Lib Dem Health Spokesperson said "The level of admissions for alcohol related incidents to Addenbrookes is frightening in this day and age, with all the warnings that are issued ongoing that excessive drinking will harm you, clearly we have much more to do both in getting key messages across and assisting those who can be - to look at their intake before serious circulatory problems develop."

Councillor Gaynor Griffiths, Childrens Spokesperson said "We have to do much more to deflect the level of interest there is among many young people in smoking. The County Council was awarded almost £200,000 to put a programme of support in place to encourage and help young people to give up smoking. What, so far, has the county spent this money on? Of the young smokers in the county who have been identified as wanting to give up smoking, how many are receiving support under this government initiative? The press releases, as happens so often, were quick to go out and the action has been very slow to follow."

"Reports are all very frightening but if the money is there why isn't it being put to good use? We have to do much more to deflect the level of interest there is in many young people in smoking, it isn't cool to smoke and there is nothing sexy about being diagnosed with mouth cancer. And we have to do it quickly."