Two members from Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) attended an event at the House of Commons to mark No Smoking Day.
Specialist tobacco dependence service lead, Kerry Apedaile, and acting associate nurse director/community matron, Gayle Wilkinson, attended the event.
They represented NHS mental health services at a component event in collaboration with Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health.
Nominated by ASH, the pair spoke with lords, ministers, and other parliamentarians, communicating on the proposed law to support a smoke-free generation.
The event focused on 'Stopping the Start', the government's initiative to create the first smoke-free generation through legislation.
This prohibits the sale of tobacco products to individuals born on or after January 1, 2009.
On being selected, Ms Apedaile said: "I can’t believe I will be going to parliament.
"I’m excited to have this opportunity and I also feel very proud to be representing CNTW and mental health services."
She also commented on the risks of smoking on people with mental health conditions, stating: "Most of our patients start smoking from a very young age and can be addicted for the rest of their lives".
Ms Wilkinson too shared her own experience.
She said: "Being a smoker at such a young age wasn’t outside of the norm where I grew up.
"I lost my mother to a smoking-related disease.
"My husband and I have both overcome a cancer diagnosis because of smoking.
"I’m incredibly pleased to say we have both successfully quit after over 30 years of being addicted.
"If sharing my story can add to the conversation and have a positive impact towards creating a smokefree generation, I’ll be there."
The dialogue at the event was participated in by those impacted by smoking, including individuals who started smoking young and have successfully quit, someone who has been ill because of smoking or has lost a loved one to a smoking-related disease.
Smoking, particularly amongst people with severe mental illness, remains a significant issue, contributing to poor mental health, including severe symptoms of psychosis and higher rates of depression.
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