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This review provides an overview of the effects of smoking on health and the local tobacco control approach in Stockton-on-Tees. It includes statistics on smoking prevalence, health outcomes, and achievements to date. The future development of tobacco control, including plain packaging and targeting vulnerable groups, is also discussed.
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Housing and Community Safety Select Committee7 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
Age Restrictions & Controls It has been illegal to sell to under 16’s since 1908 and under 18’s since 2007
Illicit Tobacco Tobacco fraud costs UK taxpayer over £2 billion per annum