Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care,  introduced the next item, which outlined the Smoking Cessation services available within the borough. Members were informed that the number of deaths from smoking related causes is higher than the London average.

Liam Crosby, the Associate Director of Public Health, noted that there have been significant reductions in smoking rates from 20% down to 12%. However the rates of mortality are still around 246 per 100,000 residents. The rates of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) admissions have also fallen from 900 to 716, which is the highest in London. Mr Crosby then noted that the aim is to reduce smoking in the borough to around 5% by 2030. This will require further action in regard to tobacco control.

Mr Crosby then gave an overview of how a smoke free 2030 will be achieved. Via a whole system approach. This includes;

·       Monitoring the use and prevention of tobacco.

·       Protecting people from tobacco smoke.

·       Offering to help quit tobacco use.

·       Warning residents about the dangers of tobacco..

·       Enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship.

·       Raising taxes on tobacco for effective tobacco control.

This will require collaborating with Trading Standards to control tobacco consumption and enforce limits on sales to underage individuals. Members were then informed of the available methods to stop smoking, including the local smoking cessation services with behavioural therapist support, prescribed medical aids, nicotine replacement patches, gum or e-cigarettes.

In 2023-24, the borough had the largest number of residents successfully stop smoking, approximately 1,510, compared to other local authorities. This revealed that the cost per quit is the lowest in London. The government has also provided additional funding to the borough of around £375,067 for local smoking cessation services, which will be used for mental health and homelessness services.

Shamsia Begum, Specialist Stop Smoking Manager, Quit Right, then discussed the Quit Right service, who works in partnership with Public Health. Members were informed that in 2023, Queen Mary University of London was commissioned to provide the Stop Smoking Service alongside the prime supplier model. Ms Begum then detailed the model, which includes social marketing and training, subcontracting a minimum of three community pharmacies per locality, the specialist tobacco cessation services and service leadership and management. Members were then given an overview of the referral process; the eight week treatment programme which involves nicotine replacement therapy with one of five advisors for tailored support.

Location details for the Quit Right clinics were also provided for face-to-face support, as well as support available in the Royal London Hospital and Tower Hamlets Town Hall on Wednesdays from 2-4.30pm.Members were also given details on the Stoptober Campaign and activities within the borough.

Syeda Begum, Community Tobacco Dependency Lead, All East London Foundation Trust, who  gave an overview of services available for smokers who are severely mentally ill (SMI) and tend to have smoke at a higher rate for residents without SMI, 40% compared to 12% of the general population. Various services are available in Tower Hamlets, Newham, Hackney and Luton and are referred either by a GP or Mental health teams. The service was piloted this year and saw 63 SMI patients, 32 were assisted with vapes and 11 quit smoking completely.

Ms Begum noted that level one and level two tobacco dependency training, for the community, is available, as are virtual clinics on Thursdays, which is a new initiative that is proving quite popular. The ‘Just Ask’ campaign for community services will commence shortly, to encourage staff to screen more patients.

Further to  questions from the sub-committee Liam Crosby, Shamsia Begum, Somen Banerjee and Syeda Begum;

·       Clarified that work is ongoing with Trading Standards to monitor the sale of vapes that are popular with children. They have the authority to enforce what can or cannot be sold in terms of the size of the vape and the amount of nicotine contained.

·       Explained that funding has been made available for ‘Operation Stromboli’ in which Trading Standards Officers have authority to seize any illegal cigarettes found in shops. Ongoing work with the Safe East wellbeing service is taking place, to promote a campaign to dissuade young people to start smoking and vaping.

·       Envisioned  that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024 will eventually  ban all disposable vapes.

·       Confirmed that the success rate is measured by the number of referrals received. Outreach is a vital way of connecting with residents to deliver the service. More information on the smoking status for individuals who enter NHS hospitals is required.

·       Explained that residents who are reluctant to use the services are offered a chance to visit a cessation session to view the service and successful clients undertake case studies for promotional campaigns. Public patient involvement exercises are also available at Queen Mary for research purposes. Patient panel members can reflect on the service  and give feedback.

·       Confirmed that a pilot peer support service is currently available in the boroughs of Newham and Hackney, which assists in a 12 week treatment program.

·       Noted that there are14 pharmacies across Tower Hamlets, various Family Hubs and 15 GP surgeries that can assist residents in smoking cessation services, where the majority of referrals come from.

The Health and Adults Sub-Committee RESOLVED that;

1.    The presentation be noted.