Agenda item

Presentation of the Tobacco Control Strategy. This strategy seeks to build on the local progress resulting from the previous 2020-2022 strategy by continuing to identify the need for ongoing tobacco control within Leicester City. Our vision is to achieve “A smoke free Leicester – to make Leicester smoke free by 2030”.

Nathan Smith (Tobacco Control Project Manager, Public Health, LCC) presented on this recently launched strategy – which seeks to build on the local progress resulting from the previous 2020-2022 strategy by continuing to identify the need for ongoing tobacco control within Leicester City.

It was noted that:

•           The vision is to achieve “A smoke free Leicester – to make Leicester smoke free by 2030”.

•           The good news is that there has been a reduction in smoking prevalence – but it is still a major cause of ill health. There is a 10 year gap in life expectancy for smokers versus non-smokers.

•           Locally we have the “CURE” programme (for pregnant women, acute inpatients and mental health inpatients). There is also the cessation support provided by Live Well.

•           There is no national strategy – but there is an increased national focus on reducing smoking (including fines, restrictions and legislation). As part of this national commitment, Leicester City will be receiving an additional £456,669 funding for smoking cessation; this money cannot be spent on youth vaping or enforcement, however. Plans are being drawn up as to the best way to spend this over the next five years.

•           There are higher smoking rates among Looked After Children compared to their peers of the same age.

•           In addition to the harms noted in item 6 above – there is a 65% link to oral cancer (and Leicester has higher prevalence of this cancer than the national average).

•           The priorities for the Strategy were listed as:-

i.          Partnership working to address tobacco control

ii.         Achieving a smoke free generation

iii.        A smoke free pregnancy for all

iv.        Reducing the inequality gap for those with mental ill-health

v.         Deliver consistent messaging on the harms of tobacco across the system

vi.        Continue to improve the quality of our services and understand impact through data collection

•           Methods to achieve the priorities include:-

i.          Myth-busting

ii.         Reducing illicit sales

iii.        Targeting services

iv.        Working with Social Housing, Looked After Children and Turning Point

v.         “Step Right Out” campaign (smokefree care/home pledge) - relaunching soon

vi.        Working in partnership with the Oral Health team

•           Since the last Strategy ended in 2022, there have been the following changes and new services:-

i.          The service offer for acute inpatients, mental health inpatients and pregnant women (see above)

ii.         An offer for UHL staff

iii.        A pilot with Social Housing – which is now rolling out

iv.        An increase in young people vaping

v.         The local team have joined the East Midlands Tobacco Group

vi.        The existing Live Well service offer has retained some of the remote support offered during Covid – to give flexibility of choice

vii.       A workforce development framework

•           The Board was requested to:-

o          Endorse the Leicester City Tobacco Control Strategy 2024-26

o          Work with the Public Health Tobacco Control Team to promote smokefree sites

o          Promote opportunities to train up staff

o          Provide an ongoing commitment to support quit attempts in all organisations.

Comments and questions from the Board:-

-           The Chair noted that the national legislative framework has impacted on lowering smoking over the last 20 years.

-           The Chair asked whether “smokefree” just refers to nicotine – and has the problem moved to cannabis and/or vaping? The presenting officer responded that the local on-the-ground team are upskilled in chewing tobacco, waterpipe and shisha – and they are also linked in to research that will improve the data gap.

-           The DPH noted that the upcoming Health & Wellbeing Adult Survey will ask about vaping. He felt, however, that we need to retain a focus on tobacco – and not get distracted by vaping (as the latter is less harmful than cigarettes). The Chair felt that the Healthy Conversation Skills training can help staff negotiate the complexities around what constitutes “harmful”.

-           With regards to vaping - some Members expressed concern that there is a new generation using a product with very little scientific data on the long-term effects (or knowledge of what chemicals are contained in vapes). The DPH noted that we know what are in regulated vapes - but agreed that the science on long term use will take time.

-           Members asked whether we can impact the national conversation – and steer focus towards vaping and cannabis use. The DPH responded that Professor Chris Whitty has urged a focus on tobacco as it has the biggest adverse impact on health.

-           The DPH noted that he has written to all local leaders to ask them to support the call for a national policy towards smokefree generation legislation.

-           Members asked whether the Council can consider a local planning or environmental policy (eg to not give licences to vaping shops). It was noted that Public Health had recently been asked to input into a Vaping Shop applying for a Shop Improvement Grant Scheme award; there had been no consensus on the ethics – and the DPH felt there may need to be a corporate policy developed.

-           The Chair noted that national policies around not advertising vapes at the till point would be useful – but we could also consider speaking with the Retail Consortium locally in the meantime.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Board thanked Officers for the report and asked that comments from the meeting are taken into account.

2.         That the presenting officer will speak with Regulatory Services about whether the Council can consider developing a local planning or environmental policy.

3.         That the Board will collectively support staff to train and upskill - in order to give consistent messages around tobacco control.