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Northern Ireland: Smoking-related illnesses put 35,000 in hospital a year, report says
Almost 35,000 people are hospitalised each year due to smoking-related illnesses, an NI Audit Office report has said.
The number of people smoking has dropped by about 10% since 2011. But prevalence remains "concerningly high" among some of the "most vulnerable" groups.
The report said smoking-related illnesses cost the health service about £218m annually.
The Tackling the Public Health Impacts of Smoking and Vaping report was published on Tuesday.
Auditor general Dorinnia Carville said smoking was to blame for "some of the largest health inequalities locally".
"Smoking related deaths are 98% higher in the most deprived areas compared with the least deprived," she said.
"Similarly, lung cancer deaths are 151% higher and women are more than four times as likely to smoke during pregnancy."
Key statistics from the NI Audit Office report include:
About 2,200 of deaths in Northern Ireland are attributable to smoking,
£3.23m was spent by the Public Health Agency (PHA) on tobacco control in 2021-22,
A total of 8,000 people set "quit dates" in 2022-23 through PHA funded services.
The UK government has announced plans to ban the use of disposable vapes as part of plans to tackle the rising number of young people taking up vaping. Measures will also be introduced to prevent vapes being marketed at children and to target under-age sales.
In the absence of the Northern Ireland Executive, the Department of Health said it would make preparations to allow a future health minister to take a decision on the ban.
Source BBC News, 30 January 2024
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Are cigarettes already making a comeback? As a vape ban looms in England, traditional tobacco gets a TikTok rebrand
Single-use vapes will be banned in England to prevent children and young people getting hooked on e-cigarettes, may of which come in bubblegum and candy flavours and bright colours that appeal to youngsters.
But there appears to be a global movement tempting young people back to traditional cigarettes – which are increasingly being marketed to appear in cuter, more aesthetically pleasing packaging.
Young smokers are showing off their kitschy designs – including themed cases and multi-coloured papers - on social media, prompting fears that when vapes are banned young people will turn back to cigarettes instead.
In November, a TikToker from California, shared “the cutest Hello Kitty cigarette box” with her 43,600 followers – which also came with a USB lighter that lit the case up when in use.
Elsewhere, another TikToker based in Europe, boasted a visually pleasing selection of cigarettes in various colourful rolls, telling followers they were 'only €8'. In the videos from 2022, they clarified these were largely only available in Balkan countries.
Posters who bought cigarettes from other parts of the world – including Turkey and Egypt – have made videos about the “beautiful” and “pretty” packaging that's been drawing them to buying cigarettes.
A quick search on Amazon and Etsy also shows that it's not just pretty cases and lighters - vendors also sell smoking accessories such as beaded, ornate cigarette-holder wands, adorable ceramic ashtrays and chic tobacco-tins.
The pretty designs and colourful packaging are likely to appeal to Gen Z audiences – many of whom use the social media app – in the same way vapes have been said to attract younger people with eye-catching ads and fun flavours such as strawberry, banana and mango.
Campaigners have warned for months that kids are being targeted by eye-catching ads for vapes, which cost as little as £3, on social media and being lured in by their flavours, such as strawberry, banana and mango.
However, researchers have warned that adults may need to be persuaded to switch to other e-cigarettes to prevent them going back to smoking. The NHS recommends vapes to help people quit smoking, which is one of the biggest causes of illness and death in the UK.
Source: The Daily Mail, 29 January 2024
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Britain's disposable vape ban hits stocks, divides experts
Britain's plan to ban disposable vapes hit some e-cigarette stocks and drew a mixed reaction from experts on Monday, with some concerned it could hurt efforts to stem the death and disease caused by cigarettes.
Other countries, like France, have already flagged plans to ban disposables but unlike elsewhere, Britain's government has put vaping at the core of its efforts to reduce smoking including previously announcing a scheme to hand out free vape kits to smokers looking to quit.
Shares in vaping company Chill Brands (CHLL.L), opens new tab had collapsed 29% by 1505 GMT on Monday. Supreme PLC (SUP.L), opens new tab, which also sells disposable vapes, initially fell almost 10% before recovering to stand 7% higher.
Supreme did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Chill Brands said it would accelerate plans to bring a non-disposable vape to market, and that single-use vapes played an important role in helping people to quit smoking.
Source: Reuters, 29 January 2024
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