More and more municipalities and municipal health services want children to grow up smoke-free

The Hollands Midden, Haaglanden, North and East Gelderland, and Rotterdam-Rijnmond municipal health service regions are organising regional meetings in the first half of 2019, thereby launching a Smoke-free Generation in their regions. The meetings are intended to generate enthusiasm, as well as to share knowledge and examples and exchange practical tools.

In addition to the regional meetings, a national networking meeting on smoke-free public outdoor spaces is scheduled for 7 March. Municipalities and municipal health services have many questions about this. The meeting is organised by the Trimbos Institute in cooperation with the Dutch Cancer Society, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.

All meetings

Meanwhile, the first regional meeting, On the Way to a Smoke-free Hollands Midden, took place on 20 February.

Below is an overview of the remaining meetings:

• 7 March 2019 National networking afternoon: Smoke-free public outdoor spaces

The 80 municipalities and municipal health services that have already joined the Smoke-free Generation have been invited. Other municipalities and municipal health services are also welcome. More information.

• 21 March 2019 Regional meeting Haaglanden

For participants in the regular policy consultations of the nine municipalities and their policy colleagues from sport, education, et cetera. For more information: keep an eye on the website.

• Spring 2019 Regional meeting North and East Gelderland

For policymakers from municipalities and municipal health services in North and East Gelderland and the two addiction-care institutions (Iriszorg and Tactus). More information.

• Summer 2019 Regional meeting Rotterdam-Rijnmond

Rotterdam is organising a broad symposium on alcohol, tobacco and exercise towards the summer. For more information: keep an eye on the website.

Smoke-free Generation Municipalities Platform

Until the end of March 2019, the Smoke-free Generation Municipalities Platform is supporting the regional meetings, organising the networking meeting, and providing municipalities with support through the help desk. An online case and document database is also under development. The Platform is an initiative of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport to support municipalities on the way to a Smoke-free Generation. The Trimbos Institute carries out the activities in cooperation with the Dutch Cancer Society and in line with the Smoke-free Generation. Later in 2019, municipal support will take a different form within the framework of the National Prevention Agreement.

Smoke-free Generation

At rookvrijegeneratie.nl/gemeenten, municipalities can find more information about creating a smoke-free environment for a Smoke-free Generation, including an action plan, good examples from municipalities, and the activities of the Platform.