TSI Manifesto 2010

Improving the health of society

to public health through the use of resources at the most local of levels. The application of legislation and regulatory powers covers a breadth of topics, many of which are of particular concern for low-income families. Trading standards’ work addresses the prevention of cancer, coronary heart disease, mental health, accidents, teenage pregnancy and life expectancy/poverty concerns.

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A radical strategy shift in service delivery was implemented by the White Paper ‘Our Health Our Care Our Say’, increasing the relevance of trading standards in the multi-agency approach

rading standards are making a growing and significant contribution

Smoking is the UK’s top cause of preventable deaths and costs the economy £2.5billion in sick leave and lost productivity alone10.

to local public health and initiatives tackling smoking, alcohol and obesity. Research suggests that most adult smokers start when they are young – typically around 13 years of age. This is why trading standards make prevention of tobacco sales to children a top priority. Trading standards achieve this

through test purchasing and giving advice and support to retailers and their staff, as well as supporting education and prevention

strategies developed with local NHS Primary Care Trusts. There is currently a great deal of work being done by trading standards to inform consumers so that they can make knowledgeable choices about the provenance of their food, and about pricing and nutritional value. Integrated front of pack labelling used for all product categories would provide a simple-to-follow and coherent scheme based on the best scientific and medical evidence. Trading standards act to avoid cases where food is falsely described, claims are misleading, or substances which may be harmful to some consumers are not identified on food labels. It is important work to ensure that

10 Department of Health, A Smokefree Future – A Comprehensive Tobacco Control Strategy for England, 2010.

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