To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what information his Department holds on a) levels of non-compliance with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations and b) the number of successful prosecutions for non-compliance in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
6 December 2017
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute, commissioned by the Department, undertakes an annual survey to assess tobacco control activities carried out by councils across England, including relating to compliance with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. Further detail about the levels of non-compliance and associated prosecutions can be found in the 2016/17 Tobacco Control Survey, published on the Trading Standards website.
Throughout 2015/16, the Department, supported by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, has delivered a comprehensive training package across nine English regions. This consisted of both face to face learning events as well as e-learning opportunities to support the implementation of the Tobacco Products Directive and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015.