URL: https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4992

Decision Maker: Strategic Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To continue to allocate a portion of the ring-fenced government funding for stop smoking services and support, to the South Yorkshire Tobacco Control Alliance (SYTCA) for the next three years, up to the end of 2028/29. The total contribution over the three-year period will be £504,354. In the initial year of the alliance, SCC contributed £168,118, bringing the total for four years to £672,472. SYTCA, which began operating in October 2025, has already begun to realise many benefits for tobacco control in Sheffield, including preventing duplication of local work programmes across the four local authorities, reducing costs through economies of scale, and coordination of regional communications campaigns which removes the need for local development and the associated costs. The recommendations will contribute to the achievement of the vision of the 2022-2027 Tobacco Control Strategy in Sheffield which aims for people to live longer and healthier lives, smokefree. The vision includes that Sheffield children grow up in a city where smoking is unusual; and that Sheffield is a smokefree city in which to live, work and play. Our ambition is to make smoking obsolete by 2030 or to get to 5% prevalence in adults across all social groups. This strategy was signed off at Council Cabinet in April 2022.  

Content: To continue to allocate a portion of the ring-fenced government funding for stop smoking services and support, to the South Yorkshire Tobacco Control Alliance (SYTCA) for the next three years, up to the end of 2028/29. The total contribution over the three-year period will be £504,354. In the initial year of the alliance, SCC contributed £168,118, bringing the total for four years to £672,472. SYTCA, which began operating in October 2025, has already begun to realise many benefits for tobacco control in Sheffield, including preventing duplication of local work programmes across the four local authorities, reducing costs through economies of scale, and coordination of regional communications campaigns which removes the need for local development and the associated costs. The recommendations will contribute to the achievement of the vision of the 2022-2027 Tobacco Control Strategy in Sheffield which aims for people to live longer and healthier lives, smokefree. The vision includes that Sheffield children grow up in a city where smoking is unusual; and that Sheffield is a smokefree city in which to live, work and play. Our ambition is to make smoking obsolete by 2030 or to get to 5% prevalence in adults across all social groups. This strategy was signed off at Council Cabinet in April 2022.   a)    To approve funding the South Yorkshire Tobacco Control Alliance (SYTCA) from our Local Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant (LSSSG) at 25% for the next three years. The total contribution over the three-year period will be £504,354. b)    To approve officers to work with SYTCA to ensure local accessibility of, and engagement with, stop smoking support. c)    To approve officers working collaboratively with regional partners in the alliance by attending board meetings and engaging with subsequent actions.    Approving the recommendations will ensure Sheffield City Council continues to use ring-fenced government funding for stop smoking services and support in a way that maximises impact, value for money and system-wide reach, while supporting delivery of Sheffield’s Tobacco Control Strategy 2022–2027 and the ambition to achieve a smokefree city/5% adult smoking prevalence by 2030. Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable ill health and a major driver of health inequalities, and regional smoking prevalence remains higher than the national average. By contributing 25% of Sheffield’s Local Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant (LSSSG) for 2026/27-2028/29 (total £504,354), the Council will sustain SYTCA, enabling shared delivery across South Yorkshire that reduces duplication, achieves economies of scale, and strengthens collective capacity and influence. SYTCA has already demonstrated benefits since operating from October 2025, including coordinating regional communications campaigns and helping reduce local campaign development costs, notably enabling a reduction in Sheffield communications spend. The funding is an accepted use of the ring-fenced grant, is accounted for in planned expenditure, and supports continuation of time-sensitive regional work programmes requiring partner commitment. Officer involvement will ensure SYTCA’s regional programmes translate into accessible, locally relevant support in Sheffield, strengthening referral pathways, promoting evidence-based messaging, and improving engagement with stop smoking services, particularly for populations with higher smoking prevalence and more complex needs. Active participation in SYTCA governance, including board meetings and follow-up actions, will help ensure accountability, alignment with Sheffield priorities, and effective joint delivery. This will support a consistent regional approach, shared learning, and a stronger collective voice on policy and system change.   ·       Choosing not to fund SYTCA and allocating the funding to local stop smoking service initiatives. ·       Funding SYTCA on an annual basis with a review annually.  

Date of Decision: April 24, 2026