Alliance warning on danger of fake tobacco

New research commissioned by the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Smoking and Tobacco Alliance has highlighted the negative impact of illegal cigarettes on local communities.

The study found that two in five Nottingham and Nottinghamshire residents surveyed feel that illegal tobacco is a problem in their community, while 66% are worried about counterfeit cigarettes being sold to children and young people.

Separate data from local trading standards officers has revealed the shocking financial gains made by sellers of illegal tobacco. From April to September this year, Nottinghamshire County Council’s trading standards team recovered around 142,000 illicit cigarettes (not including rolling tobacco), with an estimated street value of £71,000. In the same period, they seized 6,825 illegal vapes with a street value of around £75,000.

In the six months to September, Nottingham City Council seized more than 4,000 cigarettes with an estimated street value of £14,409, and over 4,930 vapes and about 17 test purchases of illegal tobacco and vapes since April 23 to test for underage sales. After receiving complaints about underage sales, Nottingham City Council’s trading standards team recently carried out inspections and seized more than 500 illegal vapes from a shop in Hyson Green.

Following the publication of these shocking statistics, the alliance is renewing its efforts to urge more individuals and businesses to come forward and report organisations that sell fake tobacco. In July this year, the government introduced new powers that could see penalties of up to £10,000 for any businesses and individuals who sell illicit tobacco products in a move to tackle this illegal market and reduce tobacco duty fraud.

The publication of the statistics comes after the alliance relaunched its strategy to work towards eliminating smoking and tobacco-related harm and creating a smokefree generation for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Bringing together a wide spectrum of partner organisations, including Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, it was established earlier this year to encourage smokers to quit and to highlight the support needed to help prevent young people from starting to smoke in the first instance.

Councillor John Cottee, Cabinet Member for Communities at Nottinghamshire County Council, said:

“This research highlights the devastating harm caused by illegal tobacco in local communities. It damages local businesses as they’re being undercut by unscrupulous criminals selling the products at below-market prices, which discourages people from quitting smoking and makes tobacco more accessible and affordable for children and young adults.

“Our Trading Standards team will continue to work closely with the alliance to stamp out these unwanted practices on our way to creating a healthier, smokefree Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.”

Councillor Linda Woodings, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health at Nottingham City Council, said:

“We are calling on businesses and the general public to help us eradicate this damaging illegal trade, which sells harmful and toxic products containing unregulated ingredients. There are several signs of fake tobacco, including brightly coloured or discoloured cigarette packaging rather than the usual plain olive packaging, small pack sizes containing fewer than the stipulated minimum 20 cigarettes, and spelling mistakes and unfamiliar logos on the packet. Shopkeepers may also store cigarettes in unusual places away from the till, which is another tell-tale sign that they are fake.

“These criminals don’t care who they sell illicit tobacco to and the harms it could cause. This is why we need assistance from law-abiding business owners and individuals to bring these criminals to justice and tackle this cancer at the heart of the tobacco industry.”

The alliance wants people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to be alert to possible signs of tobacco or vapes being sold illegally. If you see illegal tobacco being sold, you can report this to local trading standards teams through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service at: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/

In October the government launched an eight-week, UK-wide consultation that outlined plans to make it an offence for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to be sold tobacco products. The proposals also include the introduction of further regulations to prevent the sale and promotion of vapes to children.

The alliance supports these proposals, as well as the government’s pledge to take a strong approach to the enforcement of these rules. The proposed enforcement policy includes:

  • plans to introduce on-the-spot fines for rogue retailers who sell tobacco products or vapes to underage people in England and Wales (ministers believe that separate enforcement regimes in place in Northern Ireland and Scotland are already sufficiently robust). The current penalty regime in England requires local authorities to prosecute the individual or business in question and for the individual or business to be convicted in a magistrates’ court. Trading standards officers say this time-consuming court procedure limits their ability to issue fines and creates a significant gap in their operational capabilities
  • the provision of £30 million of additional funding per year (from April 2024) to support enforcement agencies such as trading standards, Border Force and HMRC to implement and enforce the law (including enforcement of underage sales).
  • enhancement of online age verification to stop underage sales of tobacco products and vapes online
  • HMRC and Border Force’s publication of an updated Illicit Tobacco Strategy, which will:
  • set out plans to target illegal activity at all stages of the supply chain to stamp out opportunities for criminals in light of the new rules
  • establish a multi-agency Illicit Tobacco Taskforce, led by HMRC and Border Force, to oversee future evolution of our illicit tobacco strategy

Introducing the Health & Wellbeing LIVE video podcast series!

We are delighted to present the first edition of our revamped video podcast series ‘Health & Wellbeing LIVE’, a collaboration with Nottingham City GP Alliance (NCGPA).

Presented by NCGPA GP Board Director Dr Andy Foster, this series involves fascinating discussions about a range of topics around healthcare in Nottingham city.

In this first episode, Andy sits down with the former Clinical Director of Nottingham City Place-Based Partnership, Dr Hugh Porter. They look back over Hugh’s time working in range of positions shaping Nottingham city healthcare on the eve of his retirement.

Watch here: Health & Wellbeing LIVE Ep1 – Dr Hugh Porter – YouTube

New episodes of the series will be launched monthly. Subscribe to the Nottingham City Place-Based Partnership Youtube channel to be updated when a new episode goes live.

Stub It! this Stoptober

Smokers in Nottingham city are being urged to make a quit attempt this month as part of the Stoptober campaign from Nottingham City Place-Based Partnership and Stub it!

Nottingham has a particular smoking problem, with the numbers of smokers in the city much higher than the national average. This has led to smoking being the largest single cause of death and ill-health in the city.

Figures show that over 20% of adults in Nottingham city smoke, with over 55 thousand smokers in the city. It is estimated that each year smoking costs the city £137million – this includes £115M in lost productivity, £12M in healthcare costs and £6.8M in costs to social care.

In the current cost of living crisis, the cost of smoking can also hit struggling households hard. The cost of buying cigarettes, missing work due to ill-health, and the price of medication for smoking-related illness can drive families and individuals into even deeper financial issues. This is particular problem for areas in the city with high levels of depravation and poverty.

But help is available. The free Stub it! Stop Smoking Service provides an achievable and personalised journey for all Nottingham city residents. 99% of people completing the Stub it! programme would recommend to friends and family and felt well supported by advisors during their quit attempt.

Evidence shows that if a smoker can quit for 28 days, then they are five times more likely to quit for good. 40% of graduates from Stub it! go on to quit for good. Combining behavioural support and nicotine replacement products (including vapes), those enrolled on Stub it! will receive tailored support to improve their chances of quitting permanently.

The service now delivers to anybody aged 12 or over who lives in Nottingham city. Citizens can self-refer to the Stub it! service by calling 0115 8240583 (Option 2), sending an email toncgpa.stubit@nhs.net, using the form on the NCGPA website, or speaking to the GP+ reception team (4pm and 8pm).

Nottingham City Place Based Partnership Welcomes Dr Husein Mawji as Clinical Director

Nottingham, 21st August 2023 – Nottingham City Place Based Partnership is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Husein Mawji as the new Clinical Director, following the retirement of Dr Hugh Porter. Dr Mawji brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this role, having served as Deputy Clinical Director for just over three years.

Dr Mawji has been a Nottingham GP for over 18 years at the Victoria and Mapperley Practice, where he serves as Senior GP Partner. His dedication to patient care, coupled with his clinical expertise, has significantly contributed to the practice’s reputation for excellence. Within the practice Dr Mawji has worked hard to enhance the health and wellbeing of the patients, making a positive impact on countless lives.

Dr Mawji’s journey with Nottingham City Place Based Partnership began when he was appointed as Deputy Clinical Director in March 2020. In this capacity, he has showcased leadership, innovative thinking, and an understanding of health inequalities and healthcare dynamics. His ability to navigate complex challenges of partnership working and develop effective strategies has earned him the respect of colleagues and partners alike.

The appointment of Dr Mawji as Clinical Director comes at a pivotal time for Nottingham City Place Based Partnership as the PBP seeks to deliver on its strategic plan and continue to mature as a crucial delivery partnership in the Integrated Care System. His unique perspective, gained through years of experience in both clinical and leadership roles, promises to guide the partnership towards new heights of success. Dr Mawji’s understanding of the local health and care landscape and his commitment to collaboration make him the ideal choice for the partnership’s initiatives.

“I am honoured to take on the role of Clinical Director at Nottingham City Place Based Partnership,” said Dr Husein Mawji. “The Partnership has been on exciting journey to date, and I look forward to building on the foundations we have laid, collaborating with our partner organisations to address the health inequalities experienced by our citizens in Nottingham, and continuing to serve our communities with the highest standards of care.”

Mel Barrett, Lead for Nottingham City Place Based Partnership and Chief Executive, Nottingham City Council said:

“I am delighted to welcome Dr Mawji to the role of Clinical Director. Having served the people of Nottingham for 18 years, Dr Mawji truly understands the day-to-day experience of people accessing health and care services, the barriers and inequalities which can be encountered and the opportunities which exist to improve our services when we work together in partnership. This role represents a significant commitment to the people of Nottingham and I am confident that Dr Mawji will bring his compassion, innovation and strategic leadership to the role.”

Following Dr Mawji’s appointment as Clinical Director, the PBP will now be seeking a new Deputy Clinical Director. This role will be advertised in the coming weeks.

For media inquiries, please email nnicb-nn.nottmcityicp@nhs.net.

About Nottingham City Place Based Partnership:

Nottingham City Place-Based Partnership (PBP) – NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICS – NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire ICS (healthandcarenotts.co.uk)

The Nottingham City Place Based Partnership is a collaborative initiative aimed at improving health and wellbeing outcomes for the people of Nottingham city. Comprising healthcare, community leaders, and local organizations, the partnership strives to create innovative solutions and strategies that address the unique needs of the community.

Nottingham City Community Listening Sessions

Nottingham City Collaborative for Better Mental Health are running a series of mental health listening events in the city. These sessions are designed to give people suffering from mental health issues a platform to discuss the issues they face. The collaborative are keen to hear from people as many people as possible, including care for other with mental health issues, or support people in their community.

Three sessions are currently planned as part of this series, each focusing on a different area of particular concern:

Cost of Living and Mental Health

Physical Health and Mental Health with information marketplace

Workplace Wellbeing

This event is completely free, with refreshments available at each. For more information, click the relevant registration link. If you are interested, please register as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

Travel expenses for people with lived experience/carers will be reimbursed. If you have any other questions or need help with booking, please call 07564 041495.

PBP Shortlisted for the HSJ Awards 2023!

The Nottingham City Place-Based Partnership (PBP) are delighted to be shortlisted for the NHS Race Equality Award at this year’s HSJ Awards for our Culturally Competent Maturity Matrix.

The matrix is a bespoke self-assessment tool used to assess the responsiveness of an organisation, service, or system in delivering or commissioning provision to meet the needs of Black Asian and Minority Ethnic citizens. The purpose of the tool is to help to tackle structures and processes that can be exacerbating inequalities experienced by minority communities and to shift mindsets, by providing a platform for curious questions and difficult conversations.

We believe these conversations are integral to addressing the structures and process that impact on the health inequalities that Black Asian and Minority Ethnic people disproportionately face.

Since its soft launch in December 2022, the matrix has been piloted by four PBP partners, with feedback was used to improve the tool. The matrix was formally launched at the PBP Race Health Inequalities Summit in May 2023 and now over 30 organisations have signed up to be part of a community of practice to roll out the matrix across the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System.

Clive Foster MBE and Donna Sherratt, PBP Race Health Inequalities Programme leads said,

“The HSJ Awards are a prestigious event that recognise innovative, forward-thinking, and effective programmes across the UK’s healthcare system. It is an honour to be shortlisted and invited to present to their judging panel for the award next month.

We would like to thank everyone who has worked on this project – particularly members of the PBP Race Health Inequalities Steering Group – as well as community representatives and other partners that have been involved in the design and roll out of the maturity matrix”.

Clifton and Meadows Diabetes Health and Wellbeing Event

On Thursday 20th July 2023, the ICS held a patient-focused diabetes health and wellbeing event Clifton Methodist Church in Clifton. The aim of this event was to raise awareness of diabetes, offer basic health checks and provide information on diabetes prevention and self-care.

The event was supported by many clinical services and charitable organisation who were there to offer support, advice and information and to promote healthy lifestyle initiatives in place across the city. In attendance were The Notts County Foundation, Nottingham Forest Community Trust, Stub it!, Diabetes UK, Healthier You, Nottingham Recovery Network, and DESMOND, as well as a number of social prescribing link workers, health and wellbeing coaches, and diabetes specialist nurses.

Over 500 patients registered to Clifton practices were invited and we were extremely overwhelmed with the success of the event, it was great to see a queue of people waiting to enter the church hall 15 minutes before the start of the event and throughout the afternoon there was steady stream of patients that arrived.

We hope to setup many more events like this over the course of this year in other areas within the city to keep raising awareness of diabetes, and the services available for patients to access in Nottingham.

Celebrating 3 Years of the SMD Partnership!

On Wednesday 12th July, we celebrated the three-year anniversary of the Severe and Multiple Disadvantage (SMD) partnership.

The SMD partnership is a collaborative network made up of a range of organisations and people with lived experience across Nottingham City with the goal of joining up services in the city to ensure that people experiencing SMD receive flexible, person-centred care from the right services, at the right time and in the right place. The term SMD recognises that it is not unusual for people to experience multiple complex issues such as homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill-health, offending and experience of domestic or sexual violence at the same time.

The SMD partnership was born out of the work undertaken by partners as part of the ‘Everyone In’ initiative and has grown from strength to strength. Now with a membership of over 140 people, the SMD partnership has been successful in securing over £5m in funding through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Changing Futures programme and is also responsible for the delivering in the Nottingham City Place-Based Partnership’s (PBP), SMD programme. Read the partnership’s delivery plan here

To celebrate, we held a birthday party for the partnership at Cafe Sobar in Nottingham. This event was a chance for partners and beneficiaries to come together and celebrate their achievements over the past 3 years. There were many discussions about the specific challenges partners working with people who experience SMD face, but also the opportunities that working together has given the partnership. There were lots of ideas for how the partnership can adapt in order to handle current and future challenges.

We were delighted to be joined by Mel Barrett, Nottingham City PBP Lead and Chief Executive of Nottingham City Council. Mel has been unwavering in his support for the partnership since its inception and spoke passionately about its importance in the city. Dr Hugh Porter, Clinical Director for the PBP, also shared his insight on the partnership’s development over the past three years.

There was special tribute to Jane Bethea, Consultant in Public Health at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, a key figure in Nottingham, who has led the SMD programme since its inception. Launching the partnership in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jane’s vision and endeavour has been essential in ensuring the success of the partnership and helping countless people in Nottingham. Jane is soon to be leaving her role and will be greatly missed by everyone involved in the partnership.

We hope all the attendees had a great time and had the chance to reflect of the incredible work they have done over the past three years.