In March 2011, the Government published its tobacco control plan for England as part of 'Healthy Lives, Healthy People'.  The plan supports comprehensive tobacco control in England across the six internationally recognised strands. Tobacco Free Futures is committed to working towards the aspirations set out in the national tobacco control plan by supporting and adding value to local level tobacco control strategies, interventions and services.  You can read about some examples of our work under these six headings by navigating through each of the following strands.

1. Stopping the promotion of tobacco

Action to stop the promotion of tobacco products has been taken over many years. While the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 prohibit tobacco advertising, the tobacco industry continues to find ways of promoting tobacco products, for example through packaging, point of sale displays and through entertainment media, including the internet. Given the substantial health risks caused by tobacco use, the Government is committed to preventing the promotion of tobacco products to both young people and adults.

Take a look at what Tobacco Free Futures is doing to support the Government’s comprehensive tobacco control strategy to stop the promotion of tobacco.

2. Making Tobacco less affordable

Making tobacco less affordable is proven to be an effective way of cutting tobacco consumption. The World Bank ‘price elasticity’ model estimates that a 10% price increase leads over time to a 4% fall in consumption. However, the easy and cheap availability of illegal tobacco undermines this price lever. Read how Tobacco Free Futures has become a key player in a world-first programme to tackle illegal tobacco.

3. Effective regulation of tobacco products

The effective enforcement of tobacco control legislation is a key element of any comprehensive tobacco control strategy. Laws are already in place that regulate the way that tobacco products are presented for sale and ensure that tobacco is not sold to under 18s.

Take a look at what Tobacco Free Futures is doing to support the Government’s comprehensive tobacco control strategy to ensure the effective regulation of tobacco products.

4. Helping tobacco users to quit

Most people don’t smoke, but despite the great progress in cutting smoking rates over 8 million people in England are still smokers. By helping people to quit smoking for good, we can significantly improve public health and reduce health inequalities. By quitting, tobacco users can improve their own and their family’s health and wellbeing, and also reduce the likelihood that their children will become smokers. Find out what Tobacco Free Futures is doing to support the Government’s comprehensive tobacco control strategy to help users to quit.

5. Reducing exposure to secondhand smoke

Exposure to secondhand smoke is hazardous to health, especially for children. Each year, the cost of treatment by primary care services for these children has been estimated at around £10 million, while hospital admissions cost a further £13.6 million. These figures do not include the impact on the health of adults who are exposed to secondhand smoke. Find out what Tobacco Free Futures is doing to support the number of children exposed to secondhand smoke.

6. Effective communications for tobacco control

Effective communication about the harms of tobacco use is central to comprehensive tobacco control. We support the delivery of local tobacco control though regional communications and education activities aimed at a range of audiences, and by supporting the delivery of national mass media. Find out what Tobacco Free Futures is doing to provide effective communications for tobacco control.