Housing and Community Safety Select Committee 7 June 2012 Review of Tobacco Control

Tobacco Control: An overview Ruth Hill Assistant Director of Health Improvement

Background: smoking Smoking is the single biggest preventable cause of premature death in Stockton –18% of deaths in adults over 35 are a result of smoking (approx. 290 deaths per yr in Stockton) Smoking accounts for over half of the difference in risk of premature death between social classes Smoking costs Stockton approx. £56 million each year

Smoking: Effects on health 28% of premature deaths in Stockton are smoking attributable (Approx. 291 each year) Smoking is associated with a range of diseases: –Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) –Respiratory diseases including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) and asthma –Cancer Smoking in pregnancy – increases risk miscarriage, premature births and a range of other health outcomes

Smoking Prevalence in Stockton-on-Tees 19.6% of adults smoke (approx. 35,000 people) Massive inequalities in smoking prevalence across Stockton wards –strong correlation between smoking & deprivation –48% smoking prevalence in Stockton town centre Young people: –no robust mechanisms for measuring prevalence –Stockton Social Norms Project: identified that approx. 15% of college students in sample smoked, with 38% taking up smoking at 14 years of age

Smoking prevalence continued… Pregnancy: 18.4% of pregnant mothers in Stockton were reported as smokers at time of delivery Mental health: High prevalence of smoking in those with mental health problems (70% in inpatient units) Prison & probation: High prevalence in those in prison and probation services (80% of prisoners)

Local Tobacco Control Approach Based on the 6 strands of tobacco control: –Build Stop Smoking Services and strengthen local action –Reduce exposure to second-hand smoke –Support national education and media campaigns –Reduce tobacco promotion –Tobacco regulation –Reduce the availability and supply of tobacco products. FRESH North East – provide regional support & coordination

Some Achievements to date… Year–on-year reduction in av. smoking prevalence Stop smoking training – mandatory for all midwives Tobacco control resources developed and delivered within secondary schools as part of PSHE 719 premises inspected (11/12), Majority complied with smoke free legislation 11 HMRC referrals relating to illicit tobacco & approx. 8,000 counterfeit cigarettes seized 17 underage test purchases – 0 sales to under 18s Year-on-year increases in smoking quitters

Future Development Strengthen tobacco control regulation & promotion –Plain standardised packaging –Second hand smoke in cars Preventing smoking uptake by young people Strengthening stop smoking services –Focus on smoking in pregnancy –Focus on vulnerable groups and reducing health inequalities Public Health transition – transfer of responsibilities

Tobacco Control and Regulation in Stockton-on-Tees Dave Kitching Trading Standards and Licensing Manager

Tobacco Control & Regulation Tobacco - a Stockton perspective What is tobacco and tobacco control? Regulation at point of sale Age restrictions and control Tobacco promotion Illicit tobacco

Tobacco Definition A ‘tobacco product’ is defined as consisting wholly or partly of tobacco and intended to be smoked, sniffed, sucked or chewed

Tobacco Control Definition

Regulation At Point Of Sale

Age Restrictions & Controls It has been illegal to sell to under 16’s since 1908 and under 18’s since 2007

Age Restrictions & Controls

Tobacco Promotion

Illicit Tobacco

Tobacco fraud costs UK taxpayer over £2 billion per annum

Illicit Tobacco

Plain Packaging