New financial incentives offered for local tobacco control reviews

Local councils are being encouraged to review their current tobacco control efforts using the CLeaR model through a financial incentive scheme from Public Health England.

The CLeaR model supports local authorities to review their tobacco control policies and identify actions to further reduce smoking rates by completing a self-assessment, then inviting a peer assessment team, led by a recognised expert, to review their answers and produce a CLeaR report.

Currently, the cost of this peer assessment process is 2,500 pounds, but Public Health England has agreed to offer a discount of 1,000 pounds for councils that apply before the end of March 2015 and agree to complete the assessment by June 30th.

This 2,500 pound fee is received by the lead assessor's host organisation to cover the cost of their time, expertise and associated travel expenses.

Rosanna O'Connor, director of alcohol, drugs and tobacco at Public Health England, said: "Peer assessment is key to the process of delivering evidence-based tobacco control to improve the health of the community."

This comes as part of a wider government effort to reduce the number of active smokers in the country in order to safeguard public health.