Dudley Strategy for Tackling Health Inequalities 2010-15

Figure 5:Smoking and Pregnancy Services in West Midlands quit need ratio compared with services across England2. Tackling illicit tobaccoThe geographical positioning of Dudley, close to the M6 and M5 corridor,unfortunately provides organised criminal operators an ideal location for processingcut-price illicit tobacco. It remains widely available, particularly within the poorestcommunities. Through the BCTCA, Dudley Trading Standards Service and DSSSwork in partnership with HM Revenue and Customs on joint activities to reduce theillegal selling of smuggled and illicit tobacco products. This has involved the sharingof intelligence, promotion of a national complaints hotline and a workplaceinformation campaign highlighting fines for selling in workplaces.This programme of work was reviewed at a recent local Illicit Tobacco Summit whichhas identified the key areas for future action which include better intelligence sharingtemplates and protocols, local education and awareness campaigns and bettermonitoring processes.Dudley PCT has commissioned a programme of education and enforcement withregards to the sale of tobacco and alcohol products from Dudley Trading StandardsService. This joint programme of work will significantly contribute to the Council Planobjective of reducing harm to children by limiting access to alcohol and alsoeffectively assist in the implementation of the Tobacco Strategy for Dudley andSocial Responsibility Scheme through targeted inspection and enforcement ofunderage sales legislation. It will also contribute to the incidence of sales currently at6% (2009/2010) to be reduced and to provide effective education and training totraders. This area of work will be monitored through the Tobacco Action Group.100