Agenda item

- reports by Alison Illif and Simon Lister, NHSR

Alison Iliff, Public Health Consultant, reported that as from April, 2013, the Council would have responsibility for delivering a comprehensive Tobacco Control Strategy as part of the transfer of Public Health under the Health and Social Care Act.  A presentation that gave an update on the current key tobacco control issues in Rotherham and performance of the NHS Stop Smoking Services was shared, alongside the submitted report and the Rotherham NHS Stop Smoking Service Annual Report, 2010-11.

It was noted that, as in all other areas, smoking was Rotherham’s greatest single cause of preventable illness and early death.  Smoking had caused 487 preventable deaths in Rotherham in 2010.  

In 2011, the Department for Health published a new national Tobacco Control Strategy that was aimed at reducing the number of deaths from smoking related diseases and substantially reducing healthcare costs associated with smoking.  The

Strategy included three inspirational targets and six key actions: -

The inspirational targets were: -

1.      Reduce smoking prevalence among adults in England

2.      Reducing smoking prevalence among young people

3.      Reduce smoking during pregnancy in England

The six key actions were: -

1. Stopping the promotion of tobacco
2. Making tobacco less affordable
3. Effective regulation of tobacco products
4. Helping tobacco users to quit
5. Reducing exposure to second-hand smoke
6. Effective communications for tobacco control

Pertinent statistics were considered in relation to smoking issues:-

• There was a static incidence of smoking in Rotherham at 24%, compared to around 21% England average, and 22% Yorkshire and Humber average.
• Around 8% of children aged 11-15 smoked in Rotherham, compared to an England average of around 5%.
• The prevalence of smoking in pregnant women up until delivery was around 20%, compared to an England average of around 13%.
  • All pregnant women in Rotherham who were smokers had at least one consultation with the Stop Smoking Midwife during their pregnancy.
• The financial costs in relation to smoking were considered, including the costs to the individual smoker, costs to the community and costs to the NHS.
  • Whilst smoking in Rotherham brought an estimated £62.1millions into the Exchequer each year, it was estimated that it cost £71.9millions to the community (including the NHS).  This left a shortfall of £9.8millions.
• 83% of smokers had started smoking before the age of 19.
• Children were three-times more likely to start smoking if their parents smoked.  
• Smoking was one of the greatest contributors to health inequalities.

Other issues in relation to the availability and consumption were: -

• Branding and promotion of tobacco, including packaging and celebrity /media promotion.
• Tackling cheap and illicit tobacco – removing the supply in local communities (‘fag houses’, under the counter sales, car boot sales, ice cream vans).
• Regulatory activity, including, removal of vending machines, age of sale and point of sale display issues.
• Smoke free homes and cars.

Simon Lister, Service Manager, Rotherham Stop Smoking Service, detailed the stop smoking interventions available in Rotherham: -

• Cost effectiveness of specialist smoking cessation support against costly medical intervention.
• Facilities within Rotherham provided through the Rotherham NHS Stop Smoking Service: -

-           Quit Stop (Bridgegate);

-           Stop Smoking Centre (Rotherham Hospital);

-           Dedicated service for pregnant women;

-           Dedicated telephone service;

-           Delivered one to one and group sessions across Rotherham (including out of hours);

-           Trained and supported a network of LES advisors;

-           Supported others to deliver stop smoking interventions;

-           Promotional activities;

-           Reporting function.

• Client satisfaction was high amongst those who had used the Bridgegate facility.

Local Authorities had significant and growing roles in relation to enforcement of: -

-           Age of sale;

-           Smoke free places;

-           Smuggled and counterfeit tobacco;

-           Advertising ban.

From 2013, Local Authorities would take on responsibility to commission services to motivate and support smokers to quit their habit.  Joint working, and working across local authority boundaries, was already being considered to achieve economies of scale in relation to data collection and analysis, provide clear and consistent media messages and combat organised crime. 

Discussion ensued, and the following issues were raised by members of the Health Select Commission: -

-           Statistical consideration of the many individuals who would frequently start and stop smoking.

-           ‘Silent Salesman’ consultation that was expected.

-           Ban on shop displays in April 2012 for large retailers and April 2015 for smaller retailers.

-           Proactive work of the Rotherham Stop Smoking Service.

-           Facilities for Rotherham’s communities that were further away from the town centre facilities.

-           Role of community leaders in promotion of the Rotherham Stop Smoking Service and drives to tackle the use of cheap and illicit tobacco. 

Resolved:-  (1) That Alison Iliff and Simon Lister be thanked for their presentation to the Health Select Commission and the information shared be noted. 

(2) That the Health Select Commission take part in the consultation on ‘plain packaging’ when it is launched.

(3)  That members of the Health Select Commission play an exemplar role in the implementation of tobacco control programmes, and communicate this message to colleagues, communities and partner organisations to take forward the Tobacco Control agenda.