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Number of young people smoking in North West falls to record low
A new survey released Thursday 20th April has found that the number of young people in the North West of England who smoke is down to 6% - the lowest level recorded.
The findings also show that levels of binge drinking among the region’s underage drinkers has fallen. In 2007, almost three in 10 (29%) of 14 – 17 year olds described themselves as regular binge drinkers, compared to 8% today.
While smoking and drinking levels continue to fall, there has been an increase in the numbers of young people vaping. 14% claim to vape more than once a week, compared to 6% in 2020. Respondents said that flavours are a key factor in tempting them to vape.
Lisa Seamark is the Lead for Underage Sales at Trading Standards North West commented: “It is positive to see that the national trend in lower numbers of young people smoking and drinking is reflected in our survey findings in the North West. We know that progress has been made when it comes to driving down underage sales of tobacco and alcohol, but we can’t be complacent. There is still much more that can be done to protect young people from tobacco and alcohol, which can cause significant harm at a crucial time in their development.”
“The rise in youth vaping is concerning and our findings show that disposables are by far the most used type of vapes amongst young people in the region. Almost 4 in 10 young people are buying e-cigarettes from shops and enforcement action will be taken against retailers who continue to sell to under 18s.”
Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said: “The Trading Standards North West survey of youth use of age restricted products is a very useful reminder that we need to be worried about use of all age restricted products, not just e-cigarettes, but also alcohol, tobacco and knives. Although carried out more recently than the 2022 ASH survey and with an older age group and in schools rather than online, this survey of young people in the North West shows a similar and worrying increase in vaping among young people. The Minister should take note as these results reinforce the need for government to act to toughen regulations on vaping sooner rather than later.”
Source: Wired Gov, 20 April 2023
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Philip Morris trims annual profit forecast on elevated costs
Marlboro maker Philip Morris International Inc cut its full-year profit forecast on Thursday, hit by rising tobacco leaf prices, energy and labor costs.
Shares of the company fell about 2% in premarket trade.
The company's margins have been strained in the last few quarters due to these costs which were driven by lingering industry-wide supply chain challenges further aggravated by the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
The Marlboro maker sees adjusted full-year profit per share of $6.10 to $6.22, down from its previous forecast of $6.25 to $6.37.
The Stamford, Connecticut-based company's revenue rose 3.5% to $8.02 billion in the quarter ended March 31, but missed analysts' estimates of $8.11 billion, according to Refinitiv IBES data, hurt by lower cigarette shipment volumes.
Source: Reuters, 20 April 2023
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Study reveals how patients' smoking history changes evolution of lung cancer
Understanding the differences in the evolution of lung cancer between smokers and non-smokers could be the key to unlocking new treatments.
Researchers from WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) in Melbourne, Australia, evaluated lung cancer progression in smokers, compared with people who had never smoked, and found substantial changes in the way the body responds. The study helps explain why immunotherapy isn't always effective in treating the disease.
Associate Professor Asselin-Labat said differences in the immune reactions between smokers and non-smokers may explain why only 20% of patients with lung cancer responded to immunotherapy treatment.
"It shows that we need to take a different approach to treating smoker and non-smoker patients with lung cancer," she said. "In smokers, we need to make the tumors visible to the immune system for immunotherapy to be effective, whereas in non-smoker patients we need to activate a dormant immune system to enable it to fight the tumor."
Professor Gray said the research teams had made interesting observations about the environment in which tumors grow and the difference in disease progression between smokers and non-smokers.
Source: Medical Xpress, 20 April 2023
See also: Early immune pressure imposed by tissue resident memory T cells sculpts tumour evolution in non-small cell lung cancer
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Parliamentary Questions
Asked by Luke Pollard, Labour, Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether it is her policy to implement a ban on cigarette filter tips that contain plastic.
Answered by Rebecca Pow, Minister for Environmental Quality and Resilience
Cigarette butts continue to be the most littered item according to a survey commissioned by Defra. On our behalf, WRAP have recently explored options for tackling littering of cigarette butts. We are now considering next steps.
Source: Hansard, 20 April 2023
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Letter: Meagre spending on tobacco control is costing the economy billions
An open letter, signed by leading UK health experts, including Professor Nicholas Hopkinson, Chair of ASH’s Board of Trustees, was published this week in the British Medical Journal. The letter calls for a “polluter pays” levy on the tobacco industry, which the government has previously said it would consider.
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New ONS figures: Deprivation and the impact on smoking prevalence, England and Wales: 2017 to 2021
The ONS has today released the latest figures for cigarette smoking prevalence among adults in England and Wales by the Index of Multiple Deprivation, and proportions and distribution of smokers within each decile.
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