1. Stockton Borough Council Housing and Community Safety Select Committee: Review of Tobacco Control 25 th October 2012 Catherine Taylor, Fresh Richard Ferry, North East Trading Standards Association

2. Each year smoking causes the greatest number of preventable deaths References: 1. ASH Factsheet, Smoking Statistics: illness & death, October 2011 (http://ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_107.pdf) NB area represents value Obesity: 34,100 Smoking: 81,400 Alcohol: 6,541 Suicide: 5,377 Drug misuse: 1,738 HIV: 529 Traffic: 2,502

3. Good progress in the North East

4. The North East comprehensive tobacco control programme 1.Developing infrastructure, skills and capacity 2.Reducing exposure to secondhand smoke 3.Helping smokers to stop 4.Media, communications and education 5.Reducing availability and supply 6.Reducing tobacco promotion 7.Tobacco regulation 8.Research, monitoring and evaluation

5. Recent activity Overall the latest figures show a decline in the illicit trade – however intelligence shows Children as young as 8 – 10 are being sold cigarettes Dealers will sell singles to children on their way to and from school Traders are becoming more sophisticated and organised, targeting and exploiting communities - but effective joint action is taking place-

6. Key regulatory issues A lethal product: a childhood addiction, not an adult choice High levels of public support for protecting children from tobacco Ensuring continued compliance with current legislation e.g. smokefree legislation underage sales vending machines point of sale displays Reducing the demand for and the supply of illicit tobacco – the North of England programme comprehensive approach impact

7. What next? Standardised packaging The problemThe solution

8. What next? Continued effective enforcement of existing legislation A recognition that the job is not done: need to call for appropriate regulation for a lethal product including - tobacco licensing / registration smokefree playgrounds / outdoor spaces

9. For the Select Committee to consider:  Is there sufficient capacity to carry out tobacco control regulatory duties?  Are there intelligence protocols in place so that enforcement agencies can work together effectively?  Are there policies in place around sales of illicit tobacco on council premises/in social housing?  Is the council considering making playgrounds smokefree?  Is there a policy in place against working with the tobacco industry?

10. For more information Catherine Taylor Fresh 0191 333 7142 catherine.taylor@freshne.com Richard Ferry North East Trading Standards Association 07946 549 613 ferryrs@hotmail.com www.freshne.com www.illicittobacconorth.org www.keep-it-out.co.uk