Tackling Illicit Tobacco for Better Health

The availability of cheap tobacco undermines a key tobacco control policy, price, which encourages smokers to reduce and give up smoking.  The UKCTCS was commissioned to evaluate a novel partnership in the North of England, The Tackling Illicit Tobacco for Better Health Programme, and a summary of the evaluation report can be read on the right hand side.

Background

In recognition of the role of illicit tobacco in undermining tobacco control strategies and in maintaining and encouraging tobacco use among deprived communities, the North of England programme was launched in July 2009.  The main aim of this pilot programme was to increase the health of the population in three regions (North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humber) through reducing smoking prevalence.  Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC), which focused predominantly on supply, so the programme marked the first large-scale attempt of the health sector to reduce illicit tobacco use.

Methods

The UKCTCS used a Theory of Change approach to the evaluation as the programme was perceived to be a complex community initiative. A 'mixed-methods' approach was utilised involving document analysis, qualitative research interviews, ethnographic research and examination of relevant quantitive indicators: including external ones (such as calls to Custom Hotline and Crimestoppers and a national survey of trading standards services carried out by Local Gorvernment Association) and from the other studies commisioned by the programme (such as surveys of stakeholders, Trading Standards and market research by the Hub and NEMS).  As the programme could not be expected to have an impact on prevalence during the evaluation period, indicators to assess supply and demand factors needed to be identified and monitored.