Issue - meetings

This report outlines the development of a targeted approach to Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) provision within the City of York Council stop smoking service.  

Resolved: That Option 2 be supported and agreed as detailed below:

The provision of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) free of charge for 12 weeks to pregnant women receiving stop smoking support services and for 2 weeks to those in receipt of stop smoking services who meet the criteria.

Reason: This will help to protect the unborn child from the effects of passive smoking by providing free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to pregnant women for 12 weeks thus increasing their chances of successfully quitting smoking for the duration of their pregnancy. NRT will also be made available free of charge for 2 weeks for those residents accessing the Council’s stop smoking service who are financially disadvantaged. This is to provide interim support with the expectation that they then fund NRT themselves after this period.

Consideration was given to a report which outlined the development of a targeted approach to Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) provision within the City of York Council stop smoking service. The report asked the Executive Member to consider two options.

Option 1: The provision of NRT to pregnant women only.

Option 2: The provision of NRT to pregnant women and with the provision of a small ‘hardship’ fund.

The Executive Member was informed that from 1 April 2016 those accessing the stop smoking service would be unable to access NRT free of charge as part of a universal offer. Option 2 however would allow for a transition period of a fortnight before pregnant women had to purchase their own NRT. The NRT would then be accessed from their closest community pharmacy.

Advice on smoking cessation could be accessed from a General Practitioner, Practice Nurse, Pharmacist or a national helpline.

Resolved: That Option 2 be supported and agreed as detailed below:

The provision of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) free of charge for 12 weeks to pregnant women receiving stop smoking support services and for 2 weeks to those in receipt of stop smoking services who meet the criteria.

Reason: This will help to protect the unborn child from the effects of passive smoking by providing free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to pregnant women for 12 weeks thus increasing their chances of successfully quitting smoking for the duration of their pregnancy. NRT will also be made available free of charge for 2 weeks for those residents accessing the Council’s stop smoking service who are financially disadvantaged. This is to provide interim support with the expectation that they then fund NRT themselves after this period.