Agenda item

To present an update on the stop smoking service provision in Blackpool.

Members were presented with an update on the stop smoking support provision and proposed new service model. The target implementation date was 1 October 2018.

The Chairman noted that there was a wide range of support options listed with detailed analysis of costs, benefits and effectiveness. He queried why there was no mention or analysis of the electronic (e) cigarettes given that Public Health England advocated their use and cited evidence of three million people quitting successfully.

He added that leading cancer researchers from the University of Stirling had cited low levels of young people reducing cigarette smoking and also that e-cigarettes were not being taken up significantly by young people. The Chairman referred to the significant smoking issue within Blackpool which, in his opinion, was worse than people using e-cigarettes and that all avenues needed to be explored.

Ms Petch, Consultant in Public Health explained that there was still uncertainty over the merits and risks of e-cigarettes and debates were ongoing. The regional network of Public Health directors had noted the Public Health England viewpoint that e-cigarettes represented a low level of risk and could be an effective tool to help people quit smoking. It had been agreed regionally that where e-cigarettes were being used as a ‘quit’ aid then that would be ok as that was better than the harm from cigarettes.

However, she added that Public Health had concerns where people had from a zero base starting using e-cigarettes including young people. Therefore e-cigarettes had not been mentioned explicitly. Reputable brands of e-cigarettes needed to be used but there were concerns over quality control which council officers were attempting to tackle.  Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) such as patches represented viable and effective alternatives.

Mrs Rachel Swindells, Public Health Practitioner explained that Blackpool had a high proportion of young people using e-cigarettes and that there were issues with them exhaling ‘clouds’ of vapour through e-cigarettes and that some evidence suggested levels of harm from the secondhand vapour produced. She added that young people were using e-cigarettes because they were seen as being fashionable whereas adults used them as a quit aid. Councillor Cross added that currently e-cigarettes could not be recommended given that they were not currently available through prescription.

Some Members referred to the costs of smoking (ordinary cigarettes and e-cigarettes) especially for people on low incomes and that people often went without more important basic goods. Members had concerns that some young people would never be persuaded to quit so it was important to promote anti-smoking messages and risks, e.g. to pregnant women and babies.

Councillor Cross explained that the proposed stop smoking support service worked on the premise that people needed to want to quit in the first place. They would then be offered support options. These ranged from ‘self-support’ (simple sign-posting to options available), targeted support through GPs and pharmacists and dedicated support for specific groups such as pregnant women.

Ms Petch explained that smoking was an addiction and needed to be treated as such through offering people support. There was no single solution but a range of support options. Ms Swindells added that the evidence demonstrated that 70% of smokers wanted to quit and needed to be offered support options at the right time.

Members queried whether there was sufficient information being provided to school children to promote early intervention. Ms Swindells explained that this formed part of the school physical, health and social education (PHSE) curriculum. Alongside this, educating families was promoted. Ms Petch added that a wider approach was pursed by the Council in promoting Blackpool to be a smoke-free environment.