LFB joins London Tobacco Alliance

by Featured News

London Fire Brigade (LFB) has become the latest organisation to join the London Tobacco Alliance, a partnership created to accelerate efforts to eliminate smoking in London.

The collaboration between the London Tobacco Alliance and LFB aims to reduce tobacco related harm by improving education around tobacco and vaping related fires.

The new partnership will help more Londoners to quit smoking through education and promoting accessible services, using local borough services through Stop Smoking London.

Its aim is to reduce fire fatalities caused by smoking, as well as decrease the burden of smoking-related injuries and ill-health currently affecting the NHS in London.

Efforts will be made through the partnership to promote smoke-free zones – leading to a reduction in health inequalities associated with smoking and tobacco products. The overall goal is to ensure no child born today will be tempted to start smoking

During 2022’s heatwave, LFB tackled over 340 fires during the first week of August. The Brigade’s firefighters said it believes that careless disposal of smoking materials caused a significant amount of the grass, rubbish and open land fires attended.

Borough Commander Richard Tapp for Tower Hamlets said: “By joining the London Tobacco Alliance, we will be able to reach even more Londoners to educate people about the dangers of smoking by tapping into their extensive network and resources.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us – particularly in terms of the common objectives for both organisations. Over the past five years, we have responded to more than 3,185* smoking related dwelling fires in London and continue to see injuries and damage to homes and the environment which smoking incidents cause.

“The importance of this collaboration in protecting lives, property and the environment, lies in how we can reach people who continue to smoke, as well as reduce smoking as part of a pan-London approach.

“Ultimately, together we will be able to save more lives that are tragically lost to tobacco related harm through collaboration with the London Tobacco Alliance.”

Tracy Parr, Programme Director, London Tobacco Alliance and Stop Smoking London said: “In addition to amount of money related to tobacco related issues, costs for London are immense. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to collaborate and work together on reducing the harm caused by tobacco related incidents.”

Firefighters tackle residential London fire

by ActiveBreaking News

Firefighters are warning smokers to discard cigarettes carefully after eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters tackled a flat fire on Otto Street in Kennington.

Half of a flat on the first floor of the building was damaged by fire and the remaining part of the property suffered severe smoke and heat damage. Thirteen adults and five children were treated on scene by London Ambulance Service crews.

The Brigade’s Fire Investigators believe the fire was caused by a cigarette being discarded from an upper floor and coming into contact with combustible materials stored on a first floor balcony.

Station Commander Ned Alexander who was at the scene said: “Firefighters have worked exceptionally hard to get this flat fire under control. The first floor flat was damaged by the blaze but crews prevented it from spreading further.

“Around 100 people self evacuated from the building and a number of other residents stayed within their flats.

“Fires caused by smoking materials including cigarettes, roll-ups, cigars and pipes, result in more deaths than any other type of fire. Stub cigarettes out properly and always dispose of them carefully.

“Make sure smoking materials are cold before emptying ashtrays. Preferably wet stubs before throwing them into a bin.”

“The Brigade’s 999 Control Officers took sixty 999 calls in the early stages.”

Firefighters’ smoking safety tips

  1. It’s safer to smoke outside, but make sure cigarettes are put right out and disposed of properly.
  2. Use proper ashtrays, which can’t tip over and stub cigarettes out properly.
  3. Never smoke in bed, and avoid smoking on arm chairs and sofas – especially if you think you might fall asleep.
  4. Take extra care when you’re tired, taking prescription drugs or if you’ve been drinking alcohol.
  5. Don’t balance cigars or cigarettes on the edge of an ashtray, or anything else – they can tip and fall as they burn away and cause a fire.
  6. Don’t leave lit pipes or cigarettes unattended.
  7. Always empty ashtrays carefully. Make sure smoking materials are out, cold and preferably wet them before throwing into a bin – never use a wastepaper basket.
  8. Keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach, and buy child resistant lighters.
  9. Never smoke if you use healthcare equipment like medical oxygen or an air flow pressure relief mattress. If you use paraffin-based emollient creams, ask for non-flammable alternatives instead.
  10. Consider additional safety measures such as fire retardant bedding or nightwear.