Cabinet Member for Adults, Health & Housing Services

To note the report and delegate authority to Kevin McDaniel (Executive Director of Adult Services and Health (DASS)) in consultation with Cllr del Campo (Lead Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing Services) to approve the outcome of the current Stop Smoking Procurement exercise.

AGREED: That Cabinet noted the report and delegated authority to Kevin McDaniel (Executive Director of Adult Services and Health (DASS)) in consultation with Councillor Del Campo (Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing Services) to approve the outcome of the current Stop Smoking Procurement exercise.

Councillor Del Campo said that the report before Cabinet was close to her heart, as a former smoker, she acknowledged how difficult it was and therefore knows how important it was for assistance with it. The borough already provided smoking sensation services to residents who were aged 12 years and over, with this money being ring-fenced. The current contract was due to expire on 31 March 2024. Cabinet approval was being sought for a 2-year contract with option for a further three 1-year extensions, totalling 5 years altogether. This would take it past the £500,000 threshold; therefore, it required Cabinet approval.

Councillor Price asked if the report classed vaping in the category of smoking and also was the service to purely stop persons who did smoke, or would it also act as a preventative too for those who did not currently smoke.

Councillor Del Campo said that it did not class vaping as smoking but said that vaping was a better alternative for persons wishing to stop smoking, however vaping was not to be encouraged. There was growing concern about young person’s taking up vaping too. In relation to the second question, the service was aimed at persons who were addicted to smoking.

AGREED: That Cabinet noted the report and delegated authority to Kevin McDaniel (Executive Director of Adult Services and Health (DASS)) in consultation with Councillor Del Campo (Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing Services) to approve the outcome of the current Stop Smoking Procurement exercise.