Tobacco

Public Health England have reviewed evidence for models of stop smoking delivery.

Stop smoking interventions provided in the pharmacy setting can be delivered successfully when staff are appropriately trained, monitored and mentored. It is important to note, however that the number of smokers accessing support in any single pharmacy is likely to be small.

Consideration should be given as to how the availability of this support is promoted and the way in which this is accessed from other points of identification e.g., pregnant women from maternity services and those with mental health conditions, to ensure priority groups are being reached effectively.

Advocacy for further tobacco control measures are part of the work of the North Tyneside Smokefree Alliance, for example raising the age of sale of tobacco from 18 to 21 years of age, based on evidence. The evidence from the US is that raising the age of sale from 18 to 21 has reduced smoking prevalence in that age group by at least 30%. This is very similar to the impact when the age of sale in England was increased from 16 to 18 in 2007. This led to a reduction of 30% in smoking prevalence in people aged 16 and 17 years, partly by reducing uptake and partly by promoting cessation, and had a sustained impact.