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Davey defends support for legalising cannabis and smoking ban
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has insisted his support for legalising cannabis is not "inconsistent" with backing a phased smoking ban.
The government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would have made selling tobacco to anyone born after 1 January 2009 illegal, was not passed before the general election after the government ran out of time.
The policy was supported by Liberal Democrat MPs, although they were given a free vote so were not told to back the bill.
Sir Ed told the BBC he wanted a regulated market for cannabis, arguing that potent forms of the drug and smoking were both "very harmful to people's health". Sir Ed explained his position partly related to his experience of losing both his parents to cancer.
Source: BBC News, 27 June 2024
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Vaping: Primary school pupils taught about dangers
Vaping is recognised as an effective way of getting adult smokers to quit tobacco, but the rise of disposable e-cigarettes has seen children picking up the habit. BBC News went to one primary school trying to address concerns about vape promotion.
Surrounded by vibrant wall displays and colourful folders, the youngsters are well aware of the rise in vaping. When asked them to raise their hand if they have been offered a try, about half of the class say they have.
Research by the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) charity found that one in five children aged 11 to 17 had tried vaping. They say that is an increase of 50% in two years.
Although vapes, which contain chemicals including nicotine, are believed to be less harmful than smoking, doctors say vaping long-term vaping may be damaging.
Proposed new laws were announced earlier this year to ban disposable vapes and to bring in a new vaping tax – but these proposals were not approved before the dissolution of Parliament.
Several of the political parties’ general election manifestos do mention curbs on vaping specifically, and campaigners hope those restrictions will pass into law. The school has commissioned the Step 2 charity to come into the classroom and deliver a workshop to educate the children about the dangers of vaping.
The deterrent workshops have been launched in primary schools in the city to try and stem the growing numbers of children taking up the habit. Andy Gibbs, a youth worker running the session for the health charity, says the sessions had begun as a way of "planting the seed" of awareness in younger children. He says that even by the time children got to secondary school the use of vapes could become “normalised and accepted”.
Source: BBC News, 27 June 2024
ASH - New figures show youth vaping has plateaued while adult vaping is at an all-time high
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Cigarette warning after balcony in Croydon goes up in flames
Firefighters have issued a reminder of their smoking safety advice following a flat fire in Croydon last night. A second-floor balcony in Milton Road was destroyed by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.
The brigade’s fire investigators believe the fire was accidental and caused by the unsafe disposal of smoking materials.
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: “We’d rather you didn’t smoke at all, but if you are a smoker, it’s absolutely vital you ensure your cigarette is completely out when you’ve finished smoking it.
“If you don’t, you risk causing a fire which could not only destroy your home, but also cost you your life.
“If you’re smoking on your balcony, you should never throw your cigarette over the side. It could easily catch light to possessions on a balcony below or next to yours.”
Smokers are advised to make sure smoke alarms are fitted in every room regularly used in the home, including the hallways. Other vital tips include never smoking in bed, always ensuring you stub out cigarettes properly and dispose of them carefully.
Source: London News Online, 27 June 2024
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NHS in Crisis? The Debate
After the Channel 4 undercover investigation “Undercover A&E: NHS in Crisis: Dispatches”, which saw a reporter spend 3 months in an NHS A&E department, Krishnan Guru-Murthy hosted a debate this week with patients, medical staff and health experts on how best to fix the critical issues in the NHS. He interviewed NHS Confederation CEO Matthew Taylor, The King’s Fund CE Sarah Woolnough, former MP for Totnes and former chair of NHS Devon Sarah Wollaston, President of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine Adrian Boyle and former chair of the British Medical Society Chaand Nagpaul.
See the dispatches investigation here
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ASH Daily News is a digest of published news on smoking-related topics. ASH is not responsible for the content of external websites. ASH does not necessarily endorse the material contained in this bulletin.
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