Agenda item

The Brent Tobacco Control Alliance is preparing a tobacco control strategy for Brent, which aims to reduce the prevalence of smoking in Brent and the use of other tobacco products. The strategy is still being developed, but the alliance has agreed to introduce the issue to the Health Select Committee, to talk through the main issues in Brent and the aims and objectives of the strategy. Smoking is one of the major causes of ill health and this strategy will be an important reference document for the Council and PCT as it works to reduce tobacco use in Brent.  Amanda Wilson, Tobacco Control Alliance Co-ordinator will give this presentation.

Amanda Wilson (Tobacco Control Alliance Co-ordinator, NHS Brent) presented an item on the Brent Tobacco Control Strategy.  Amanda Wilson explained that the term ‘tobacco control’ referred to a coordinated and comprehensive approach to reducing smoking prevalence, including work to reduce both supply and demand factors relating to tobacco use.  Members heard that tobacco use was the cause of over 80,000 premature deaths in England each year and cost the NHS and society overall an extra £2.7 billion and £2.5 billion respectively and was the primary reason for the gap in healthy life expectancy between rich and poor.  Amanda Wilson advised that smoking related deaths in Brent were similar to national figures, and within Brent smoking prevalence was higher in poorer wards.  Another significant local factor in Brent was the number of shisha bars in operation which, as well as presenting a health risk through smoking shisha pipers, could also lead to cigarette smoking, particularly amongst the young.

Amanda Wilson explained that Brent’s Strategy was modelled on National Tobacco Strategy 2010 and the aims included:-

·         Reducing adult smoking rates to 10% or less, halving smoking rates for routine or manual works, pregnant women and within the most disadvantaged areas by 2020

·         Reduce youth uptake of tobacco products

·         Increase to 66% the proportion of homes where parents smoke but entirely smoke free indoors by 2020

To support the Strategy, the development of a Brent Tobacco Control Alliance between the Council and NHS Brent, overseen by joint chairs Yogini Patel (Brent Council) and Kostakis Christodoulou (NHS Brent) was taking place.  In addition, a cross-sector collaboration of about 20 regular members from different sectors met bimonthly.  The Action Plan was based on the four strategic pillars of the Strategy, which were Preventing Young People from Starting a Tobacco Habit; Motivate and Assist every Smoker in Brent to Quit; Protect Families and Communities from Tobacco Related Harm; and Improve and Sustain Partnership Working.  Amanda Wilson confirmed that the Strategy would be subject to consultation throughout July and August prior to a formal launch before the end of 2010.

During Members’ discussion, Councillor Colwill welcomed any initiative targeting smoking in shisha bars, stating that smoking a shisha pipe was the equivalent of smoking a number of cigarettes.  He suggested that there needed to be research on nicotine levels in shisha pipe tobacco.  Councillor Daly asked if any action was taken in respect of shisha tobacco importation and its legality.  Councillor Hunter enquired if making approaches to the tobacco industry with regard to the role they could play in supporting the Strategy’s objectives.  The Chair commented that tobacco was a strongly addictive product and presented a challenge in terms of health.

In reply, Amanda Wilson advised that shisha tobacco samples had been analysed and that the level of nicotine had varied, although six of most popular varieties all had nicotine present.  An additional health hazard was the manner in which shisha smoke was inhaled deeply into the lungs, whilst the smoke from the pipe also meant that those in the immediate surroundings would be in danger of passive smoking.  Yogini Patel advised that Trading Standards and Environmental Health carried out investigations and analysis to check the legality of tobacco, including shisha tobacco, that was imported and take enforcement action where necessary.  The Council was also working in partnership with the London Borough of Newham on this issue.  David Thrale added that shisha cafes had been appearing faster than the legislation to regulate it and efforts were being made to address this.

Simon Bowen advised that overall tobacco consumption had fallen over the last two decades, however the significant progress needed to be sustained.  Members noted that seven out of ten smokers wished to stop, whilst he suggested that the most likely reason for a fall in cancer and heart conditions was due to a reduction in smoking.

It was agreed that the Committee would receive an update on the progress in implementing the Strategy in April 2011.