The Department of Health provides the NHS guidance on meeting the targets set by the Local Delivery Plans for 2003-6. This includes technical guidance on the three references to smoking targets.

The next three years of Priorities and Planning Framework 2003-2006. This is what the Primary Care Trusts and hospitals are asked to do and will be measured on. There are three references to smoking in the document.

No Smoking Day response with insights into the needs and attitudes of smokers as users of the NHS

Advice from Department of Health on the patient confidentiality regime as applicable to the smoking cessation services

The conclusion highlights that based on the reported performance of the NHS specialist smoking cessation services from 2000-2001 suggests they are highly cost effective – a cost of less than £800 per life-year saved.

Flyer announcing research findings and telephone helpline services relevant to South Asian communities

By the Partnership to reduce tobacco dependence. Outlines the range of treatments available to help people stop smoking and guidance for Europe.

The NHS Plan provides an account of the government's comprehensive national programme for investment in and reform of cancer services in England. The Cancer Plan is particularly committed to addressing health inequalities through setting new national and local targets for the reduction of smoking rates.

Reducing smoking.

Doctors terms of service: Amendment SI 1993 no.540

These regulations (Schedule 2 of SI 1992 no. 635) define the terms of service for doctors, which include giving advice on tobacco (para 12), assessing smoking status of new patients (14), assessing existing patients smoking at least every three years as part of a regular check up (15). Regulation 3(2)) defines the scope of responsibilities and refers to Schedule 2 for the detail. A 1993 amendment (SI 1993 no.540) updates schedule 13 to require reporting of the number of patients that the doctors has advised about tobacco use (para 4).

Schedule 2 of SI 1992 no. 635

This gives the three sets of regulations referenced in the Health Service Circular 00/026 'Patient Group Directions'

Treating tobacco use and dependence US Department of Health and Human Services clinical practice guidelines - comprehensive and excellent

Targets for smoking cessation services

Department of Health released plan for modernisation and reform of the NHS - following the 2002 Budget. The government re-affirmed commitment to smoking cessation services: Chapter 2: Improving health services 2.4 New national service frameworks covering other groups of patients will be introduced during this period. There will be a greater focus on prevention and inequalities as with, for example, extended smoking cessation services and extra help to reduce rates of teenage pregnancy. 18 April 2002.

This white paper sets out the government's ambitions for the future of the NHS. Above all it stresses the importance of achieving a health service which is responsive to the needs and wishes of individual patients. The paper explores the characteristics of this ideal service and identifies five key strategic objectives for the development of the NHS. Some of the challenges which managers and health professionals might face in bringing about the NHS of the future are discussed. Jan 1996.

A series of documents explaining how the NHS National Plan will be taken forward. Smoking is mostly covered in Framework and Priorities guidance for 2001-02

Winning the war on heart disease. Progress Report 2004. This is a comprehensive programme aimed at reducing death through heart disease. While much of it focuses on management of the disease itself, there is also a strong preventative component

2002/02 National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends use of smoking cessation therapies. NICE gives unequivocal endorsement to the use of Nicotine replacement therapies or Buproprion (Zyban) for smokers who wish to quit.