Summary of Smokefree Activity in Hackney

1 July 2007 – 1 July 2008

Since 1 July 2007 Smokefree Hackney has become a reality and most enclosed and substantially enclosed workplaces and public places are now smokefree.

1 July 2007 – Hackney went smokefree!

The occasion was marked by attending the Daymer Festival in Clissold Park with the PCT’s Stop Smoking services. At the event the Smokefree message was well marketed and information on the campaign and how to access support was widely distributed.

First two weeks of post 1 July smokefree work

This was a critical period for the campaign in order to ensure that Hackney had gone smokefree and to let the public and businesses know that smokefree checks were being carried out. Compliance visits took place daily throughout the borough for two weeks. To ensure that the message was bold and clear officers:

wore Smokefree Hackney T-shirts ensuring the team had a visible presence
checked that premises were smokefree, had removed ashtrays, and had correct signs displayed,
issued signs and advice sheets to businesses who had not received them earlier, and,
provided businesses with ‘stubbies’ and gave advice on litter.

Two evenings were dedicated to ensuring that licensed premises within the Shoreditch area were complying, officers found that compliance levels were at an excellent 100%.

Attendance at Events, Meetings and Festivals throughout 2007/08

For example:

‘Drop in’ session at Fin Future in Finsbury Park July 2007
Health Scrutiny event February 2008
Stall outside Somerfield in Stamford Hill July 2007
Hackney Olympic Event at Town Hall Square March 2008
Shoreditch Festival September 2007
Hackney Homes event February 2008
No smoking day 12 March 2008
Stop Smoking/Be Healthy Week, between 7-15 March, 2008

Partnership

Environmental Health continues to work closely with the PCT, Trading Standards, Licensing, Environmental Pollution and Enforcement, Planning, Building Control and Waste Services, sharing information on smokefree breaches and/or complaints.

Change of age work

On 1 October 2007 the age at which tobacco could be sold to people was raised for 16 to 18. In order to prepare for the change to the legislation Trading Standards and the Smokefree Team:

sent all retailers selling tobacco information and the legally required signage,
carried out visits to advise on the changes,
issued adverts in the local press, and,
attended a London retailers’ event.

Since 1 October Trading Standards have carried out underage test purchase of tobacco products. They continue to do so.

Ongoing visits to check compliance

Smokefree visits have continuously taken place throughout the borough. This includes targeted smokefree visits and monitoring compliance while conducting doing other routine work. The number of visits recorded to end of March 2008 is 2577.

Compliance statistics

Compliance figures are reported back to the Department on Health on a regular basis.

Compliance figures to end of March 2008 are: Signage = 90.35%, Smokefree premises = 99%

For non compliance warning letters have been issued. Investigations into allowing smoking are being currently carried out at a number of premises. Compliance in Hackney for displaying signs and premises being smokefree is just above the London average. See www.smokefreeengland.co.uk.

The Future

An exploration of how tobacco control work can be sustained in the future has commenced and Environmental Health are looking to formalise the partnership with the PCT and other key stakeholders. Trading Standards will be doing some work around counterfeit and smuggled tobacco.

The Department of Health have launched a consultation on ‘The Future of Tobacco Control’ to which we and the PCT will respond.

Smoking remains the main cause of preventable morbidity and premature death in England and it is the primary reason for the gap in healthy life expectancy between rich and poor. Protecting people from second hand smoke, reducing smoking prevalence by stopping people from taking up smoking, and helping people to quit continues to be a key component of making Hackney a healthier place.

Ensuring that Hackney remains smokefree will continue to help us work towards the Mayors Priorities by raising the life chances of the most disadvantaged. It also contributes to the outcomes of the thriving healthy communities’ strategy

Mental Health work

Mental Health Units must be smokefree from 1 July 2008. In Hackney we have two large units at the Homerton Hospital and at the John Howard Centre.

Environmental Health, the PCT, and the East London NHS Foundation Trust have been preparing for the units to go smokefree. Work has been ongoing to ensure patients & staff are well informed early. The campaign has included leaflets, posters and literature as well as training for over 100 nurses at the Homerton Unit.

Community Mental Health Services have been engaged to discuss support for those who want to quit smoking in the community, and work is ongoing with the the John Howard Centre to ensure smokefree success.

Page updated: 18 Jul 2008