England: Help to stop smoking, a priority for local authorities

The latest annual survey of UK local authorities by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and Cancer Research UK has revealed a significant increase in local authority-run stop smoking services following significant financial investment. For the first time since public health was devolved to local authorities ten years ago, all local authorities surveyed have a stop smoking service in place, providing essential support to people who want to quit smoking.

THE ASH-CRUK 2024 report highlights the impressive progress made in the fight against smoking in England. The growing commitment of local authorities, supported by strategic government investment, promises to make sustainable progress towards a smoke-free generation in the coming years. However, for these efforts to be successful, it is essential to secure stable funding and adopt a coordinated national approach.[1].

THE data The most recent figures show that 11.61% of adults aged over 18 are smokers in England, a figure that has been falling every year since 2011.

Tobacco control a priority for the vast majority of local authorities

The Government’s £70 million investment has enabled a major expansion of stop smoking services. For the first time in a decade, every local authority surveyed has a stop smoking service in place, with 89 %s now having a dedicated service, compared to just 72 %s in 2023. This progress has also led to improved accessibility of services for vulnerable populations, including through targeted campaigns and the development of new access points in deprived areas.

The report highlights an increased awareness among local authorities, with 88% of local authorities now considering tobacco control a high priority, up from 54 % in 2023. This is supported by the creation of new local and regional tobacco control alliances, promoting a collaborative approach. For example, in some areas such as the North East of England and Greater Manchester, these partnerships have helped accelerate the reduction in smoking prevalence.

In total, nearly 50 local authority %s reported an increase in demand for their stop smoking services in 2024.

Targeting vulnerable populations

The funding provided helped to intensify efforts to reach groups where smoking prevalence remains high. Areas of high economic deprivation were the main targets, with 90 local authority %s focusing their efforts on these areas. Pregnant women and their partners also benefited from specific campaigns and services, as did people with mental health problems or living in social housing. Specialist counsellors were recruited to help with this.

One of the flagship programs, “Swap to Stop,” encourages smokers to switch to e-cigarettes. Adopted by 93 % local authorities, this program particularly targets pregnant women, people suffering from mental health problems, and disadvantaged populations.

In addition, several authorities have set up services for young people, in response to the increase in vaping rates in this age group. 57 % authorities offer specific vaping cessation programmes for young people.

“The goal is to adapt services so that they are culturally appropriate and accessible to those who need them most, while co-creating solutions with the communities themselves,” says a representative of Westminster City Council.

Although these initiatives have led to an increase in demand for smoking cessation services in almost half of local authorities, rapid recruitment of qualified staff and ensuring sustainable funding beyond the first year remain major concerns.

Uncertain funding threatens progress

The current government has committed to maintaining additional funding for stop smoking services and enforcement for the next financial year (2025/26). However, there is uncertainty over the status of the local public health grant (which contributes half the cost of local stop smoking services), the swap to stop scheme and national programmes such as pregnancy cash incentives, media campaigns and investment in services through the National Health Service (NHS). Local authorities have reported that the lack of certainty over long-term funding has made recruitment, planning and commissioning difficult, putting stop smoking services at risk.

ASH says the government could further limit the burden on public finances by raising the necessary funds through a "polluter pays" tax on tobacco manufacturers.

Protecting yourself from tobacco industry interference

Respondents to the survey were asked whether there were any policies in place within their local authorities restricting the relationships of their officials or members with representatives of the tobacco, alcohol and food industries. Although policies restricting such relationships with the tobacco industry were reported in 45% of the local authorities surveyed, 39% of respondents did not know whether such a policy existed and the remaining 16% had no policy at all.

The authors of the report call for all local authorities to develop such policies to limit interactions with the tobacco sector to what is strictly necessary and in conditions of transparency, excluding any voluntary agreement or convention with this sector. These provisions apply to elected politicians as well as to staff and collaborators. The Association of Local Authorities has published a guide for local authorities to help them meet their obligations under Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

©Tobacco Free Generation

AE

[1] Communicated, Survey shows funding uncertainty threatens progress on smoking, ASH, published December 17, 2024, accessed December 20, 2024