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** 16 August 2024
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** UK
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** Child obesity in deprived city areas on the ris (#1) e (#1)
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** Shop closed after selling illegal tobacco and vapes (#2)
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** International
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** Opinion (#4) : Big alcohol and tobacco are the aces of strategic marketing. The Australian gambling industry has adopted the playbook (#3)
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** Links of the week
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** New ASH report published: ICBs and tobacco control (#4)
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** NHS Smokefree Pledge: Sheffield (#5)
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** Survey: What action does the public think the government should take on tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food? (#6)
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** UK
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** Child obesity in deprived city areas on the rise

Figures seen by Southampton City Council show children in more deprived areas of the city are being impacted more by obesity.

The data for 2022/23 shows 40.5% of Southampton’s year six children are overweight and 26% are obese.

The national average for overweight children is 36.6%, while 22.7% are obese.

Senior public health practitioner and researcher Ravita Taheem said 44.3% of children in the most deprived parts of Southampton are overweight or obese, compared to 23.8% in the least deprived areas.

Southampton's health and wellbeing board was told the gap had been present for some time, but in recent years the inequality had been increasing.

The University of Southampton has since carried out research highlighting areas in the city which need better access to healthy food options.

Researchers discovered a basket of food, which cost £18 in a large supermarket chain store, was £20 more expensive for the same items when purchased in the company’s smaller shop.

The university study also found more than one in four homes in Southampton were more than a 16-minute walk away from a healthy food outlet.

The university is recommending the authority improves the supply of healthier produce, provides healthier options to the city's population and builds on existing partnerships to improve food waste and food bank services.

Source: BBC News, 16 August 2024
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** Shop closed after selling illegal tobacco and vapes

Central Bedfordshire Council closed the shop in Leighton Buzzard following complaints from local residents, schools and businesses over the last year.

According to the authority, some complaints concerned sales to children.

During visits on October 17 and March 14, council officers seized a total of 1,141 vapes, 167 cigarette packets, and 34 tobacco pouches.

On June 21, the shop sold illegal tobacco to a council officer.

Luton Magistrates' Court granted a three-month closure against the business on 5 August, making it a criminal offence to enter the store.

Councillor John Baker said: "EU Market's illegal activities have negatively impacted local businesses and residents."

The council's executive member responsible for public protection added: "This closure order shows we take community concerns seriously and will act decisively against businesses causing disruption or engaging in criminal activity.

"Similar enforcement will be applied to any shops trading in illegal goods or selling age-restricted products to minors."

Source: BBC News, 15 August 2024
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** International
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** Opinion: Big alcohol and tobacco are the aces of strategic marketing. The Australian gambling industry has adopted the playbook

Writing for The Conversation, Professor of Behaviour and Social Change at the University of Technology Sydney, Ross Gordon, addresses how strategic marketing adopted by the gambling industry is partly responsible for the Australian government’s reluctance to implement a full ban on gambling advertisement.

Professor Gordon highlights how the Australian government is under pressure as it works to finalise regulations aimed at restricting gambling advertising, facing criticism for considering only a partial ban. A recent parliamentary inquiry had unanimously recommended a total ban on gambling advertising, reflecting the severity of the issue, given that Australians are the world's biggest per capita gamblers, losing about $25 billion annually.

Gordon discusses how the gambling industry has adopted strategic marketing tactics like those used by the alcohol and tobacco industries, which have historically been effective in delaying or weakening regulations.

Gordon argues that the government's reluctance to impose a total ban is partly due to the gambling industry's power and influence, which mirrors the strategies used by big alcohol and tobacco. These tactics include extensive lobbying, political donations, public relations efforts, and funding research that challenges findings linking their products and services to harmful behaviours. The industry also engages in corporate social responsibility initiatives to improve its public image and influence policymakers.

Gordon concludes that robust measures are needed to address gambling harm in Australia. A holistic approach to regulation, similar to that used against the tobacco and alcohol industries is vital: banning advertising and limiting the industry's strategic marketing efforts.
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**
See also: Parliament of Australia - You win some, you lose more ([link removed]) | Sage Journals - Reconceptualising risky and harmful consumption through molar and molecular lines: Mobile smartphone sports betting arrangements ([link removed])

Source: The Conversation, 15 August 2024
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** Links of the week
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** New ASH report published: ICBs and tobacco control

A new report from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) reveals progress made in implementing support to smokers in hospital settings but highlights ongoing problems with the current programme, particularly in mental health settings.

Hazel Cheeseman, Deputy Chief Executive of ASH, said:

“While we are pleased to see progress in helping smokers in the NHS, the disparities in access and the persistent funding challenges are concerning. Labour’s commitment to ‘opt-out’ interventions if implemented will be a significant step forward on their roadmap to smokefree country.”
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** NHS Smokefree Pledge: Sheffield

Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust pledges to eight key principles to support a smokefree future. Salma Yasmeen, chief executive, Sharon Mays, chair, and Helen Crimlisk, medical director, all signed the NHS Smokefree Pledge on behalf of Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust (SHSC).
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** Survey: What action does the public think the government should take on tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food?

The Health Foundation’s most recent round of public polling asked the public their views on a range of policies that have the potential to prevent ill health and found that the public are more supportive than opposed to bold policies that aim to tackle products such as tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food.
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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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