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Tobacco giant anticipates profit growth amid anti-smoking measures
Imperial Brands is expected to report increased earnings, driven by higher revenues from both traditional cigarettes and next-generation products (NGPs) like vapes and heated tobacco. Despite a decline in smoking rates in major markets, the company has benefited from price increases, with total UK revenue forecast to reach £8 billion across tobacco and “next generation” products, such as vapes, which is 3% higher than the previous year. This is alongside an adjusted operating profit of £3.9bn.
Government measures to curb smoking, including a vaping tax and the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aim to reduce tobacco use, particularly among younger people.
Source: The Independent, 15 November 2024
See also: ASH PR: Tax increases on tobacco and vape liquids welcomed by health charity, and ASH PR on New Tobacco and Vapes Bill backed by public, health charities and politicians
Editorial note: Tobacco companies utilise pricing strategies which allow them to maintain or grow their profits while minimising the impact of tax rises on smoking behaviour. In the UK, tobacco companies typically respond to tobacco tax rises by increasing prices on premium brands so that the burden of the tax increase (and more) falls on consumers (overshifting), while absorbing some the cost of tax rises on ‘budget’ brands to keep these products cheaper (undershifting). This results in an increasing price gap between premium and budget products. For further info about how tobacco companies use pricing strategies to undermine tobacco taxation and maintain their profits see the Tobacco Tactics page on Tobacco Industry Pricing Strategies.
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Scottish Liberal Democrats reject rolling tobacco age ban but back other restrictions
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have opposed proposals to incrementally raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco, calling the measure excessive and inconsistent with personal freedoms. The UK Government plans to proceed with the legislation, which would gradually increase the legal tobacco age from 2027, effectively banning tobacco sales to those born after 2009.
During their conference, party members debated various smoking-related policies, with some expressing concerns about undermining individual autonomy. However, they supported stricter outdoor smoking rules and proposed a levy on tobacco company profits to fund public health initiatives.
The party's leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton, criticised the rolling age ban, voicing concerns it undermines liberal values. Other speakers highlighted the need to address underlying causes of smoking uptake, particularly among youth, while discussing the harms of smoking and vaping.
Source: The Herald, 16 November 2024
Editorial note: The leader of the UK Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, and the party’s deputy leader Daisy Cooper both voted for the progressive smoking ban in the last parliament. Ed Davey set out his rationale for backing the legislation here.
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New programme launched to help young people quit vaping
A free initiative in Slough offers teenagers support to quit vaping. Organised by Health and Wellbeing Slough for the borough council, the six to 12-week programme provides nicotine replacement therapy and guidance from trained advisors.
The scheme, promoted through schools and colleges, aims to address rising vape use among young people. While vaping is seen as less harmful than smoking, health experts warn of possible risks especially for non-smokers and young people.
Participants can access the confidential service via school nurse referrals or by texting a dedicated hotline. The launch coincides with proposed government measures to tighten vape advertising, packaging, and flavour restrictions through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Source: BBC News, 17 November 2024
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Cytisine proposed as a new option in stop smoking guidelines
NICE is consulting on adding cytisine, a newly licensed smoking cessation drug in the UK, to its guidelines. Evidence suggests that cytisine increases the likelihood of quitting smoking for six months or more by 30% compared to placebo or no treatment. It is said to have similar effectiveness to varenicline, which was recently reintroduced on the NHS, with fewer reported adverse effects.
Previously unavailable in the UK when NICE’s tobacco guidelines were developed in 2021, cytisine is now proposed as an additional option for smokers seeking to quit, following reviews highlighting its efficacy. The consultation runs until November, with the updated guidelines expected in February 2024.
This move aligns with broader efforts by NHS England to expand access to effective smoking cessation treatments, with cytisine recognised as one of the most promising options for helping smokers quit.
Source: Pulse, 15 November
See also: Consultation Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence - Cytisine for smoking cessation
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Unhealthy food consumption costs the UK billions annually, report finds
A new report reveals that the UK’s reliance on unhealthy and highly processed foods costs the economy £268 billion each year, surpassing the NHS budget. The costs include £92 billion in direct government spending on healthcare, social care, and welfare to treat diet-related diseases, and £176 billion in indirect costs, such as lost productivity human costs such as early death.
The Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC) highlights the long-term impacts of inadequate regulation of the food industry, which prioritises profit over public health. Experts call for stricter oversight of food manufacturers and initiatives such as vouchers for low-income households to access healthy foods. The findings also caution against reliance on costly anti-obesity drugs, which provide temporary solutions while failing to address underlying dietary challenges.
Proposed government measures include banning junk food advertising before 9pm and reviewing the sugar tax. Critics argue that systemic changes are needed to make a healthy diet affordable, particularly for lower-income households, amid a cost of living crisis.
Source: The Guardian, 15 November 2024
See also: FFCC Report: The False Economy of Big Food and the case for a new food economy
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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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