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Government projected to miss smoke-free target by nearly a decade
England’s goal of becoming “smoke-free” by 2030—defined as a smoking rate below 5%—may be delayed until 2039 due to the current pace of decline in smoking rates, according to new analysis by Cancer Research UK (CRUK). The report highlights persistent socioeconomic disparities, predicting that smoking will remain far more prevalent in the most deprived areas than in wealthier regions. CRUK emphasises that without accelerated government action, the slow progress could prolong smoking’s heavy toll on public health and healthcare costs. CRUK’s chief executive urges the government to fast-track the long-awaited tobacco and vapes legislation to expedite reductions in smoking prevalence, especially among vulnerable communities.
Source: The Guardian, 4 November 2024
See also: CRUK - Smoking prevalence projections for England using data to 2023
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Smoking to be restricted near schools and hospitals under new bill, with health advocates urging more action
The forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill will introduce outdoor smoking bans near schools, playgrounds, and hospitals to improve public health, although plans for similar restrictions outside pubs and cafés have likely been abandoned. Lobbying from the hospitality industry over the economic impact may have influenced this decision. In addition to smoking restrictions, the bill will place limits on vaping in areas where young people gather, aiming to curb rising e-cigarette use among youth. Despite these moves, some public health advocates call for more comprehensive legislation on outdoor smoking.
Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, Hazel Cheeseman, highlighted the need for more decisive action on outdoor smoking, noting the importance of public debate around these restrictions and the effect they would have in protecting people from second-hand smoke and supporting those trying to quit by minimising the risk of relapse.
Source: The Times, 1 November 2024
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Ban on disposable vapes may lead some users back to smoking, government assessment reveals
This article cites a government impact assessment which claims that nearly a third of current and recent smokers who vape might switch back to tobacco. Disposable vape sales have surged in recent years, raising environmental concerns that are driving the proposed ban, yet officials now acknowledge potential health drawbacks if former smokers return to cigarettes. The ban will complement the Tobacco and Vapes Bill which will include measures to curb vape marketing to minors, reduce youth access to nicotine products and raise smoking ages.
Source: The Guardian, 1 November 2024
Editorial note: The Impact Assessment published by DEFRA shows that the 29% cited in the article refers primarily to vape users who currently smoke (dual users) (26%) and recent ex-smokers (3%) (please see Table 12, pg.40 of the impact assessment). The vast majority of those at risk of reverting back to smoking are dual users who already smoke. The 29% also covers both those who will revert to smoking and those who will switch to alternative nicotine products (NRT) but does not separate the two outcomes. Overall, 51% of disposable vape users are expected to switch to reusable vapes, including the majority of recent ex-smokers and all previous smokers. The estimate ranges from 40% to 100% of disposable vape users switching to reusable vapes which highlights the significant uncertainty in the impact of the ban on behaviour. The document points out that the projection is likely to change following the introduction of the progressive smoking ban in 2027 (see pg.60).
See also: DEFRA - The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 Impact Assessment
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Opinion: The rise of vaping raises concerns as smoking cessation stalls
Writing in The Sunday Times, Data Editor, Tom Calver discusses how vaping, promoted as a safer alternative to smoking, has increasingly gained popularity with roughly one in eight adults now using e-cigarettes. Calver highlights how disposable vapes in particular have surged in popularity, especially among young people, driven in part by vibrant branding and ease of use.
Although vaping has shown success in helping many smokers quit, Calver is concerned that there is a rise in vaping amongst people who have never smoked.
Calver concludes that despite the planned tax on vape liquids and ban on disposables set for the next two years, concerns persist over vaping’s unintended role in creating new nicotine users, even though nicotine addiction and vaping are significantly less harmful than cigarette use and tobacco addiction.
Source: The Sunday Times, 3 November 2024
See also: ASH – Vape Myth Buster | Tax increases on tobacco and vape liquids welcomed by health charity
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The worrying return of smoking in celebrity culture
The revival of smoking in popular culture, particularly among celebrities, has raised concerns as public figures like Charli XCX and Addison Rae appear to glamorise the habit. Despite smoking being the leading cause of preventable death in the UK, celebrities have integrated smoking into their personal brands, with cigarettes featured prominently in music videos and fashion shows. The trend has resonated with younger audiences, who view smoking as a symbol of nostalgia and an aesthetic choice. This shift comes as health experts warn about the dangers of smoking and the increased normalisation of the habit among youth, despite an overall decline in smoking rates. The article claims that while the celebrity endorsement may temporarily revive interest in smoking, it is more reflective of cultural symbolism than a genuine return to the practice.
Source: BBC News, 3 November 2024
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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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