Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive and the Specialty Registrar in Public Health.

The Council’s Smoking Policy was last reviewed in 2007 and since that time there have been a number of changes in smoking habits and attitudes to smoking including the increased usage of substitutes such as electronic cigarettes. This report identifies the issues and implications for the Smoking Policy and the Council’s overall management of potentially hazardous substances.

The Scrutiny Committee is asked for its views on the following:

Should the Council:-

(i)      Make any amendments be made to the Smoke Free Policy to include the use of electronic cigarettes.

(ii)     If amendments are to be made the following will need to be considered:-

a.      It is acceptable to use electronic cigarettes in Council Buildings.

b.      If it is unacceptable to use electronic cigarettes in council buildings whether this also applies to Council controlled public buildings

c.      What communications should be adopted to ensure all employees and members of the public are informed of any policy the Council approves including the use of signage.

Officer contact: Kathy Heaton, 0161 218 1436, Kathy.heaton@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Chief Executive (Strategy, Policy, Partnerships & Transformation) and the Speciality Registrar in Public Health submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Scrutiny Committee to consider issues relating to the increased usage of electronic cigarettes and the implications of this on the Council’s smoking policies.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Nicotine was a dangerous and additive substance and its use and the subsequent dependency should not be encouraged.

·         E-cigarettes were being used in locations where tobacco smoking would be prohibited, such as buses and in pubs, and their usage was re-normalising a practice that had taken a significant effort to de-normalise.

·         The impact of e-cigarettes and the inhalation of the substances they contained remained unknown, so a cautious approach should be taken.

·         While there was anecdotal evidence of individuals giving up smoking entirely after switching to e-cigarettes from tobacco, it was not conclusive and the products could not be marketed as such. The use of the e-cigarettes would also encourage the physical habits of smoking which many current and former smokers found difficult to overcome.

·         Some concern was expressed about the impact on those using e-cigarettes to reduce or stop smoking of being forced out of buildings into areas where tobacco smokers were congregating.

·         E-cigarette usage should be targeted along with tobacco usage in future smoking reduction campaigns, such as Stoptober.

·         The Council should take a lead in discouraging the use of these products and encourage other partners to take a similar stance.

RESOLVED – (1) That

(i)            this Scrutiny Committee believes that the Council’s Smoke Free Policy should be amended to prohibit the use of the electronic cigarettes in any Council building, including public buildings controlled by the Council;

(ii)          in the event that it is agreed to amended the policy to prohibit e-cigarettes in Council buildings, the Chief Executive be requested to write to partners who use Council buildings informing them of the intention to amend the policy, and to Transport for Greater Manchester to encourage them to change their policies to prevent the use of the e-cigarettes on public transport;

(iii)         the Director of Public Health be recommended to develop a communications strategy to discourage the use of e-cigarettes, and to include this in future Stoptober campaigns.

To consider a verbal report from the Deputy Director of Public Health.

At the last meeting members requested an item on the agenda relating to recent announcements from the Government in relation to proposals for measures to reduce tobacco usage.

Officer contact: Donna Sager, 0161 474 3928, donna.sager@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Director of Public Health provided an update on the developments with efforts to reduce tobacco related harm at a local and national level.

The following issues were highlighted:-

·         Recent announcement by the Government that it would not be proceeding with proposals for requiring plain packaging of tobacco products.

·         Approximately 21% of Stockport residents smoked, equating to roughly 47,000 people.

·         The Council, in partnership with the NHS, had very recently launched its ‘Stoptober’ campaign to encourage smokers to give up during October, as a first step toward giving up completely.

·         A Tobacco Control Audit was taking place to determine how effective the Council was at tackling smoking related harm and discouraging take up. The Audit would be assessed by ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) who would make any recommendations for improvements.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Disappointment at the decision of the Government in relation to plain packaging. This initiative was often seen in isolation, but should be seen as part of a broader policy to reduce tobacco usage.

·         The public smoking ban had made a difference in the levels of smoking and the harm caused.

·         The potential impact of e-cigarettes was discussed, particularly in relation to those seeking to reduce or stop smoking. It was emphasised that while the use of these products was less harmful than tobacco cigarettes there was as yet insufficient evidence to say conclusively they were safe. It was also stressed that nicotine was in itself a harmful substance, particularly in pregnancy.

·         There was evidence that levels of smoking in pregnancy in Stockport was as much as one in seven expectant mothers. This was a significant cause for concern.

RESOLVED – (1) That the report be noted.

(2) That the Director of Midwifery of Stockport NHS Foundation Trust be invited to attend a future meeting to discuss issues connected to smoking in pregnancy and other activities to address lifestyle concerns for expectant mothers.

(3) That the Scrutiny Committee would welcome a report back on the Tobacco Control Audit once complete.

(Note: the Chair was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in order to allow the Scrutiny Committee to consider the matter promptly)

The Chair invited the Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing) to report back to the Scrutiny Committee on a recent event organised by the Tobacco Free Futures. The Executive Councillor reported on discussions that had taken place on ‘The Newcastle Declaration on Tobacco Control’ which had been adopted by Newcastle City Council in May 2013. The Declaration was a statement from the Council on what it would do to reduce smoking prevalence amongst its communities. The Executive Councillor suggested that such a Declaration could be adopted by the Council and other public bodies in Stockport.

RESOLVED – That this Scrutiny Committee supports the principal of adopting a Declaration on Tobacco Control, modelled on the Declaration adopted by Newcastle City Council in May 2013 and encourages the Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing) to take the necessary steps to progress this matter.

This Council notes:-

·         That smoking tobacco can cause serious and fatal disease, and that the only way to avoid the risks is not to smoke.

·         That smoking is an addiction of childhood, with the vast majority of smokers starting before they are 18 years old.

·         That 486 people in Stockportdie from a smoking related disease every year.

·         That with advertising bans in place, tobacco manufacturers have increasingly focused on packaging design to make their products more appealing.

·         That published, peer reviewed scientific research is clear that plain packs are less attractive, especially to young people, strengthen the impact of health warnings, and make packs less misleading to consumers.

This Council believes:

·         That it is the responsibility of all levels of government to try to ensure good public health in the population.

Following a thorough discussion and the unanimous recommendation of the Health Scrutiny Committee on 12 June 2012, this Council resolves:

·         To request the Chief Executive to write the Secretary of State for Health, expressing these views and asking him to bring forward legislation to introduce standardised packaging of tobacco products to protect children and young people from tobacco marketing.

·         To continue to promote good health in our borough, to support the reduction of local rates of smoking, and to protect children and adults from tobacco harm.

Moved by:                  Councillor John Pantall

Seconded by:           Councillor Tom McGee

RESOLVED - This Council notes:-

·         That smoking tobacco can cause serious and fatal disease, and that the only way to avoid the risks is not to smoke.

·         That smoking is an addiction of childhood, with the vast majority of smokers starting before they are 18 years old.

·         That 486 people in Stockportdie from a smoking related disease every year.

·         That with advertising bans in place, tobacco manufacturers have increasingly focused on packaging design to make their products more appealing.

·         That published, peer reviewed scientific research is clear that plain packs are less attractive, especially to young people, strengthen the impact of health warnings, and make packs less misleading to consumers.

This Council believes:

·         That it is the responsibility of all levels of government to try to ensure good public health in the population.

Following a thorough discussion and the unanimous recommendation of the Health Scrutiny Committee on 12 June 2012, this Council resolves:

·         To request the Chief Executive to write the Secretary of State for Health, expressing these views and asking him to bring forward legislation to introduce standardised packaging of tobacco products to protect children and young people from tobacco marketing.

·         To continue to promote good health in our borough, to support the reduction of local rates of smoking, and to protect children and adults from tobacco harm.

This item has been put on the agenda at the request of the Chair and the Executive Councillor (Health & Wellbeing).

Enclosed for information is a copy of a report considered by the AGMA Executive Board in relation to the standardisation of packaging of tobacco products.

The Scrutiny Committee is invited to endorse the approach to the issue as detailed in the report.

Officer contact: Jonathan Vali, 0161 474 3201, jonathan.vali@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

A report considered by the AGMA Health Commission on the standardisation of the packing of tobacco products was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) and the Chair invited the Scrutiny to consider the recommendations made within the report.

Jake Mairs, Harry Lewis and Tom Stoppard from SK Youth, accompanied by Donna Sager, Service Director (Transformation & Commissioning) and Mary Brookes (Public Health Advisor), attended the meeting to report on debates held by SK Youth on the issue of tobacco advertising and packaging. Examples of packaging were provided for the Scrutiny Committee. Members commented on the wide-variety of packaging and the attractiveness of some of the examples.

The following issues were raised/ comments made:-

·         Those involved in the discussions at SK Youth had reached a consensus that standardised/ plain packaging would make tobacco products less appealing but considered a number of other factors as being of importance, including peer pressure, cost and the desire of smokers to want to stop smoking. Young women involved in the discussions had been more affected by the differences in the packaging.

·         Using anger at the damaging being caused to smokers by tobacco products had been successful in California which could be used with young people in the UK.

·         The use of graphic images on tobacco products were often effective, although these needed to be more targeted for young people. There was a danger that overexposure to these images would lead to people becoming desensitised to them.

·         It was important to ensure that anti-smoking campaigns focussed on those who were most vulnerable, who were often those from the most disadvantaged background, and the messages most often employed did not necessarily chime with these groups.

·         There was national research which suggested that plain packaging would be effective at discouraging young people from smoking.

The Chair referred to the proposed Council Motion included in the AGMA report and invited members to support the motion when put to the Council Meeting.

RESOLVED – (1) That Jake Mairs, Harry Lewis and Tom Stoppard be thanked for their attendance and input.

(2) That this Scrutiny Committee endorses the proposals from the AGMA Health Commission in relation to standardised packaging for tobacco products and recommends that the Council Meeting adopts the proposed motion in order to promote good health for Stockport residents and for young people in particular.