July 22nd, 2010
The One Show's Louise Minchin and Matt Baker with two packets of cigarettes... but which is fake?
The trade in illicit tobacco was the lead feature on last night’s The One Show (21 July 2010) and is available to view online and by download from BBC iPlayer for the next six days.
The item highlights the growing problem of smuggled and fake tobacco.
Smokefree North West is a key agency in The North of England Tackling Illicit Tobacco for Better Health programme, along with colleagues from Fresh Smoke Free North East and Smokefree Yorkshire and the Humber.
The illicit tobacco programme is responsible for the Get Some Answers campaign to stamp out illegal tobacco, which particularly highlights the danger to children that affordable illicit tobacco represents.
Working with partners from Trading Standards and their Scambuster teams, HM Revenue and Customs, the UK Border Agency, police forces, the Serious and Organised Crime Agency and the Association of Chief Police Officers the programme is believed to be the first of its kind in the world.
Tags: Campaigns, get some answers, Illicit Tobacco
Posted in Illicit Tobacco, Partner news, Whats Happening | No Comments »
July 19th, 2010
The Niche Tobacco Products Directory has been constructed with the support of council trading standards services across England and Wales. Local Government Regulation hopes it will provide a good source of reference material and help councils and others to effectively regulate this market in a practical way , avoiding duplication of effort.
Access is easy: just log onto www.ntpd.lacors.gov.uk and browse the directory.
The Directory is supported by both the Department of Health and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs as an aide for regulators, health professionals and businesses offering advice and information about the diverse nature of niche tobacco products and of the legislation that applies to them.
The directory will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to ensure that any changes in the supply of these products is reflected in a timely manner, for example by the inclusion of new products as they arise.
Particular thanks to LOTSA (London trading Standards Authorities), SWERCOTS (South West chief Trading Standards Officers) and TSNW (Trading Standards North West) for their support in the development of the content.
Tags: Niche Tobacco
Posted in Partner news, Smokefree North West News, Whats Happening | No Comments »
July 19th, 2010
Have you taken steps to make your home smokefree? Or have you supported a friend or family member to make their home smokefree?
If so, we’d love to hear your story… and you could win a family day out! Simply download an entry form and hand it to your SureStart centre or Smokefree Homes advisor. All stories will be entered into the competition and a winner and runner up will be picked from each of the five counties in the North West.
Download an entry for here
Full terms and conditions
- By entering the competition, you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.
- Entrants must reside within the 5 counties of the North West of England.
- The competition is not open to employees (or members of their immediate families) of the NHS or any third parties associated with the Take7Steps Out campaign.
- Entrants must be over the age of 18.
- Competition closes on 23/07/10, winners will be selected by 28/07/10 and notified by telephone by 30/07/09.
- Entries will be judged by Smokefree North West and a panel of health care professionals.
- There will be, per North West county, one top prize (worth up to £150) and one runner up prize (worth up to £25).
- Prizes cannot be substituted for cash, are subject to availability and must be claimed by 31st August 2010.
- Competition winners and runners up shall be required to be interviewed about their stories, photographed and filmed and be willing to speak to media about their experiences.
- Only one entry is allowed per household.
- Prizes are non-refundable and non-transferable
- No responsibility will be accepted for ineligible or fraudulent entries.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Promoter excludes all liability arising out of or in connection with the prize draw. These terms are governed by English law. We reserve the right to amend these terms at any time.
Tags: Competition
Posted in Whats Happening | No Comments »
July 15th, 2010
North West mums who are worried about the impact illegal tobacco is having on their communities have inspired a new crack down which hopes to ‘Get Some Answers’ about how it ends up in the hands of children and young people in their areas.
Over 8,000 teenagers aged 14 to 17 in the North West admitted to regularly buying fake cigarettes last year, according to a survey by Trading Standards in the North West.*
A recent You Gov survey** highlighted that 74 per cent of people support a crack down on tobacco smuggling. Around 75 per cent of people – many of them mums – who took part in a 2009 NEMS survey were more likely to report someone for selling tobacco if they thought their own children may be at risk from being targeted. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Campaigns, get some answers, Illicit Tobacco, Young people
Posted in Illicit Tobacco, Whats Happening | No Comments »
July 5th, 2010
SFNW marked the 3rd anniversary of Smokefree Legislation by issuing a press release highlighting increased support from the whole population, including smokers.
In a survey of North West residents released this week, 82 per cent supported the 2007 law, where shops, offices, pubs, factories, restaurants, membership clubs and work vehicles became smokefree.
Incredibly – 66 per cent of those who smoked also backed the law – significantly more than the national average
Over 90 per cent of people who took part in the survey agreed that the laws had had a positive impact. Most said they enjoyed a more pleasant experience when visiting pubs, bars and restaurants.
Dr Janet Atherton, Chair of Smokefree North West said: “This law is one of the greatest public health advances in a generation and becomes more popular each year. Even smokers think it’s a good idea. Smokefree public places have protected us all from the dangerous effects of second hand smoke and saved hundreds of lives.”
Posted in eNews | No Comments »