Tobacco and Nicotine Regulation
“People smoke for the nicotine but they die from the tar” Prof Michael Russell
Tobacco is the most lethal consumer product available. Regulation is needed to protect people from harm by reducing its availability, accessibility and attractiveness.
Fresh works with local, regional and national partners in health and enforcement on a busy and constantly evolving strand of work around regulation and promotion.
The UK has legislation in place but there is much more to be done to ensure it remains effective, protects children and young people and contributes to a decline in smoking rates.
A proportionate and balanced approach is needed for nicotine vaping products to encourage adult smokers to switch, provide reassurance that products are regulated and prevent products from being marketed or sold to children.
We work to support compliance with existing regulations as well as gather evidence to close loopholes and make the case for further effective regulation.
We maintain links with regulatory colleagues, provide advice and guidance to partners and work collaboratively to share best practice and provide access to evidence and best practice through the Tobacco Crime and Regulation Forum.
We are advocating for the measures outlined in the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health report Delivering a Smokefree 2030 including raising the age of sale for tobacco products, introducing retailer licensing for tobacco and placing a ‘polluter pays’ levy on the tobacco industry – visit our Advocacy page for more information.
Association of Directors of Public Health North East
The Association of Directors of Public Health North East has issued a position statement on vaping to guide local approaches and communications.
ADPHNE pos statement-nicotine vaping-Oct 2024
Local framework on Nicotine Vaping
Fresh has developed a seven strand strategic framework to support local authorities to take an evidence based and strategic approach to the topic of nicotine vaping within the broader context of tobacco control. We work to support compliance with existing regulations as well as gather evidence to close loopholes and make the case for further effective regulation.
Read the Local Strategic Framework on Vaping-April 2024
What role can vaping play in ending smoking? Prof Ann McNeill
What is the link between smoking & deprivation? Dr Sharon Cox
Dr Sharon Cox from the Tobacco & Alcohol Research Group at University College London looks at the link between smoking & deprivation – who needs the most support to stop & what works best? Filmed at the Fresh “Smokefree Future” conference in Sept 2023.