BACKGROUND AND IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES: Although smoking rates in London have declined there remain 900,000 smokers, with large variances between differing population groups. The charity, Action on Smoking and Health estimates that smoking costs London £6.89bn and accounts for 6,000 deaths a year in London.
INTERVENTION OR RESPONSE: The London Tobacco Alliance (LTA) was established in 2022 by the London Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPHL), bringing together key partners to support London becoming smoke free by 2030.
The LTA brings together differing partners, including the NHS, local authorities, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), the Mayor of London and Greater London Authority. In addition, it works with wider partners such as faith communities, the voluntary sector, different populations groups and academics. It is chaired by leaders from OHID/NHS/ADPH.
RESULTS AND IMPACT: The LTA has:

• Established pan-London governance and a strategic framework
• Established a councillors’ smoke free network
• Established a London network of local authority and NHS tobacco leads
• Formed a network of London tobacco academics
• Provided pan-London policy responses.
• Worked with large London employers– such as the police, transport bodies and the construction industry.
• Worked with inclusion groups to develop materials for communities with high rates of smoking, such as homeless people, the Polish and LGBT communities
• Developed programmes supporting smokers in non-clinical settings – including giving Very Brief Advice and signposting to services.
• Worked with the Partnership for Young London to gather young people’s views.

The LTA’s public-facing arm, Stop Smoking London (SSL), runs a website, featuring content to support smokers quit and links to local cessation services.
SSL develops London-wide campaigns to raise awareness and public support, and has recently launched an innovative digital smoking cessation offer across London.
CONCLUSIONS: The LTA has successfully engaged key partners to work in a more aligned and dynamic way to reduce smoking rates in London and address health inequalities.