Informing and developing policy
The Centre shall work towards the development of better public policy and services to prevent smoking. It shall establish itself as a major resource and driver of new policy and practice ideas in tobacco control, in the UK and internationally, and will work with leading policymakers and organisations at national, European and international levels to increase awareness of the importance of tobacco control to reduce smoking-related morbidity and mortality.Our aim is to reduce both the proportion of people who smoke and the harm sustained by those who cannot quit. We will do this by developing multi-disciplinary partnerships between the investigators and co-investigators in the Centre, NHS partners and other collaborations by bringing them together to share and develop strategic objectives. We will develop our current work with a number of policy-making organisations and groups (which include Royal College of Physicians, European Respiratory Society, EU, NICE, MHRA, Department of Health, Health Scotland, Scottish Executive) to stimulate research and policy implementation.
The Centre is involved in evaluating interventions introduced by these bodies and will work closely with them to ensure the most effective interventions are delivered. One such intervention is the North of England Illicit Tobacco Strategy for which an evaluation will begin shortly - find out more.
Recent Policy related documents
Consultation on the future of tobacco control
The Department of Health in England have produced a Consultation on the future of tobacco control that discusses the Government's plans for future tobacco control policy. It covers four main areas (below) and asks stakeholders and the public for comments, feedback and suggested recommendations.
- Reducing smoking rates and health inequalities caused by smoking
- Protecting children and young people from smoking
- Supporting smokers to quit
- Helping those who cannot quit
The Centre have produced a response to the consultation - this is available here
Beyond Smoking Kills: Protecting children, reducing inequalities
This report from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), published on 07/10/08 gives recommendations for tobacco control policy in the next few years. The report was developed with reference to work undertaken by UKCTCS staff and is available from the ASH website.
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)
The FCTC is an international treaty signed by 157 nations, including the UK. It provides guidance to implement effective tobacco control measures and thus reduce tobacco use.
UKCTCS researchers have contributed to the Department of Health's service and monitoring guidance for NHS Stop Smoking Services.