Niche Tobacco Advisory Group
On 23rd July 2009, the NoE Programme Governors approved the formal establishment of the Niche Tobacco Advisory Group whose aim is:
“To provide a specialist advisory group which addresses the health and legal issues relating to niche tobacco products, so that the supply and demand for such products can be reduced”.
The new group will be chaired and directed by Dr Khalid Anis MBE BDS DDPH RCS MSc, Clinical Director of Dentistry (Strategy & Development),Consultant in Public Health, NHS Heywood Middleton and Rochdale). Dr Anis attended the NoE Programme launch in Manchester (below), if you have an enquiry about niche tobacco products or the advisory group he may be contacted via email at: khalid.anis@hmrpct.nhs.uk
The Objectives of the new group are:
1. To provide a specialist advisory group, which addresses the health and legal issues relating to niche tobacco products, so that the supply and demand for such products can be reduced.
2. To provide a centralised forum and repository for gathering and sharing research, knowledge, tools, collateral and best practices relating to niche tobacco products
3. As above, also to include the exchange of knowledge and best practices between Programme partners (HMRC, Trading Standards, Scambusters, Police Forces) when tackling illicit niche tobacco within the ethnic minority communities.
4. To liaise with other UK, European and Global tobacco control groups and Agencies, specialising in niche tobacco research and control so that information, data, knowledge, tools, collateral and best practices can be shared and promulgated.
5 To support the NoE Programme Governance Board, the NoE Regional Steering Groups, Tobacco Alliances and Smoking Cessation workers (counselling users of niche tobacco products) by providing them with specialist advice, guidance, tools, collateral and best practices relating to niche tobacco products that they can incorporate within their Action Plans.
6 To report progress and provide assurance to the NoE Programme Governance Board through quarterly reports identifying any key areas or risks requiring their attention or action.