Purpose

The decision to fund a local Swap to Stop scheme has been taken as smoking rates are higher in specific places and populations, so it is most effectively addressed through targeted, place- based action rather than a national, one-size-fits-all approach. Traditional stop smoking services also don’t reach the whole smoking population, so Swap to Stop provides an alternative offer that could reach some smokers who will never engage with the traditional service.
Vaping is a NICE recommended, highly effective tool to quit smoking. Data from 2024 showed that vapes had been the most popular aid to quitting among those who had successfully stopped smoking in the previous 5 years. It is also substantially less harmful than smoking so can help prevent future hospital admissions and the development of long-term conditions, compared to if a person continued smoking. If more people are quitting smoking by using vapes, it will support the ambition to reduce smoking prevalence in Doncaster.
The decision to procure access to the Unite platform has been taken as all the services can access it to purchase vapes from their preferred brand. It has a wide range of vape products available and offers competitive pricing. Thereby allowing value for money and contingency options if a particular product is out of stock.

Decision

Decision is to directly award contract with CCS framework RM6202 and approving an annual budget of £62.25k over a 4 year period totalling £249k from the ringfenced Public Health Grant specifically for the Swap to Stop scheme.
This funding is required to procure access to Unite, which is a digital purchasing platform enabling access to multiple vape suppliers rather than a single supplier contract. The financial years in question being 2026/2027, 2027/2028, 2028/2029 & a possible extension into a fourth year 2029/2030.
The system will enable commissioned stop smoking services to access and purchase vapes in support of the local Swap to Stop scheme. There is no obligation to spend the full amount, and no commitment to purchase a specific volume of vapes

Alternative options considered

Option 1 – not investing in a local Swap to Stop scheme.
This would result in a failure to reach priority groups where smoking rates are higher and would not offer an alternative method to quitting.
Option 2 – procuring with a specific vape provider.

This would result in a lack of competitive pricing and contingency options if the provider encountered any supply issues.