Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

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Tobacco publications

Key DH-published tobacco policy documents and press releases.

Smoking Kills: A White Paper on Tobacco, Cm 4177

SCOTH report on Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand Smoke: Review of evidence since 1998

The Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH) has undertook a review of the research on secondhand smoke that has emerged since its 1998 report. Findings from studies conducted during this period support and reinforce the Committee's original conclusions.

DH Public Service Agreement 2004

Published: 12/07/2004

DH Public Service Agreement 2004

Improvement, expansion and reform - the next 3 years: priorities and planning framework 2003-2006

Published: 02/10/2002

This document sets out what organisations need to do over the next three years. It identifies national priorities and targets which organisations need to build into their local plans.

Government response to the Health Select Committee's second report on the tobacco industry and the health risks of smoking

Published: 01/01/2000

This publication is out of print,  but it may be possible to order a photocopy from The Stationery Office.

Responses to the consultation on the smokefree elements of the Health Improvement and Protection Bill

This document sets out the background to the consultation on the smokefree elements of the Health Bill; summarises the consultation responses; and sets out how the legislation is moving forward.

CMO annual report - Tobacco and borders: Death made cheaper

This section of the Annual Report looks at how the price of tobacco in the UK, a crucial public health lever in reducing smoking rates, has been changed by the balance of this market over recent years. As a result, the impact of UK tax and duty rates in affecting consumption for many smokers has been significantly blunted. Around 75% of smuggled cigarettes are transported by freight and 'roll-on roll-off' lorries, with the remainder largely smuggled in vehicles through the Channel ferry ports and the Channel Tunnel (the so-called 'white-van' trade).

Regional Tobacco Policy Managers Contact List

Each of the nine Government Regions has a Regional Tobacco Policy Manager. Their role is to provide strong regional leadership on tobacco control to deliver the goals of the national tobacco control programme through region wide action involving key partners and to facilitate regional change.

Commission for Health Improvement (CHI) Key Target Performance Indicator: Smoking Quitters

Prompt submission of full and accurate data will facilitate consistency in published data and, importantly, ensure that PCTs receive due credit for all of their smoking cessation activity in the assessment of their star rating.

NHS Stop Smoking Services: Service Provision for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People

The following document highlights some of the key considerations for smoking cessation staff providing services to deaf and hard of hearing people.

New deals on smoking cessation products

DH has agreed new deals with major pharmaceutical companies to provide additional smoking cessation products, free, so helping the NHS stop smoking services to meet their targets.

NHS smoking cessation services: service and monitoring guidance 2001-02

This guidance is intended for everyone involved in managing, commissioning or providing NHS smoking cessation services. Specific milestones for smoking cessation for 2001/02 were set in the NHS Plan Implementation Programme. This sets out how progress will be monitored under NHS performance improvement arrangements.

New NHS smoking cessation services (Health Services Circular HSC 199/087)

The development of smoking cessation services is a priority for each Health Authority. Up to £60m of new money will be available over three years from April 1999 for Health Authorities to develop new NHS smoking cessation services. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the extra investment the news services will need to be monitored carefully.

Smoking in pregnancy services 2002/2003

A further £3m has been allocated for 2002/3 for the continuation of the smoking in pregnancy initiative (for which £3m was made available in 2001/02).

Mapping black and minority ethnic tobacco prevention

This study was commissioned by the Department of health to identify and map black and minority ethnic related tobacco prevention initiatives and resources across England. The study sougth to identify and highlight good practice and to contribute to the development of a good practice guide for dissemination and implementation in areas where reduction of black and minority ethnic tobacco usage was to be the target.

NHS Stop Smoking Services Co-ordinators

Contact details for NHS stop smoking co-ordinators by PCT.

NHS Stop Smoking Services Quarterly Monitoring Return 2004/05

This quarterly return should be completed for each Strategic Health Authority (SHA). Data should be collected at PCT level and aggregated to SHA level. The returns should be completed on a responsible PCT basis. It is important that this return is submitted to the Department of Health within 10 weeks of the end of the quarter. This return has been approved by the Review of Central Returns Steering Committee (ROCR).

NHS stop smoking services quarterly monitoring return 2003/04

This quarterly return should be completed for each Strategic Health Authority (SHA). Data should be collected at PCT level and aggregated to SHA level. The returns should be completed on a responsible PCT basis. It is important that this return is submitted to the Department of Health within 10 weeks of the end of the quarter. This return has been approved by the Review of Central Returns Steering Committee (ROCR).

NHS stop smoking services quarterly monitoring return 2002/03

This quarterly return should be completed for each Strategic Health Authority and each Health Action Zone by smoking cessation coordinators and returned to DH within 10 weeks of the end of the quarter. It is important that the return be submitted within this deadline. It has been approved by the Department of Health via the Review of Central Returns Steering Committee (ROCR) and Ministers.

Stop Smoking Services Workshop Report 30 September 2004

Since the 30 September Workshop on the NHS stop smoking service, we have seen the publication of the Choosing Health White Paper. This sets out the Government's vision for action to enable people to make healthy choices in all aspects of their lives. Helping people to choose not to smoke - not to start, and how to stop - is crucial. This report will be an important contribution to the good practice we are developing, and will continue to develop, as promised in the White Paper, to maximise the effectiveness of NHS stop smoking services.

Stop Smoking support in HM Prisons: the impact of nicotine replacement therapy - executive summary and best practice checklist

Published: 01/05/2006

The aim of this study was to gather evidence and insight into the impact of this specially-funded nicotine replacement therapy, drawing on experiences in the North West Region during 2004-2005. Key findings are summarised and a ' best practice checklist' is provided for all involved in the delivery of prison based smoking cessation.

The impact of DH-funded provision of NRT in HM prisons - revised findings

The aim of the study was to provide understanding of the uptake and outcomes from provision of funded Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) in prisons during 2004-05. In addition the study intended to provide insight into the processes relating to the administration of NRT in the context of cessation interventions. The study also aimed to contribute to increased understanding of activity within prisons to deal with smoking and with second-hand smoke.

Additional links

Choosing Health: making healthy choices easier

Choosing Health: making healthy choices easier

Smoking is a major cause of ill-health. Balancing the rights of people who choose to smoke against the interests of the majority who object to being exposed to second-hand smoke at work and in public places was one of the most controversial issues in the consultation.

Smoke free consultation document

The Government ran a 12 week consultation period on proposals for smokefree legislation which ended on 5 September 2005. The consultation document is available here.

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