Community groups in Ayrshire which help prevent smoking can win £500 through a Scotland-wide initiative – but the deadline to apply is closing in.

Health charity ASH Scotland is offering the funds through their community group grant which covers salary, travel or material costs related to helping people quit smoking and spreading awareness of its harms.

Groups which have signed up to Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation and made three pledges to address issues surrounding smoking have until February 20 to apply.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “We particularly encourage pledges to tackle smoking and applications for a charter small grant from organisations in areas of multiple deprivation which support people facing the greatest challenges to good health, including those experiencing poverty, mental health problems, homelessness, young carers, or people who are care experienced.”

Common pledges include creating a smoke-free environment, equipping young people to make confident and responsible decisions on smoking, health and wellbeing, incorporating tobacco education or stop smoking support and resources into programmes and events, and directing people to their local Quit Your Way service delivered by the NHS.

The charter aims to create a smoke-free generation by 2034 by supporting communities to help improve their health by addressing issues related to smoking, encouraging community groups to take action to reduce smoking, and raising awareness of the dangers.

To apply, email enquiries@ashscotland.org.uk or visit ASH Scotland’s website: www.ashscotland.org.uk/smallgrants.