View this email in your browser ([link removed])
** 5 December 2024
------------------------------------------------------------
** UK
------------------------------------------------------------
** Mental health trust ordered to address safety failings following patients smoking on wards (#1)
------------------------------------------------------------
** European health ministers back nonbinding smoking and vaping restrictions (#2)
------------------------------------------------------------
** Speaker of the House faces criticism for opening gambling firm’s headquarters (#3)
------------------------------------------------------------
** Shop closed for selling illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes (#4)
------------------------------------------------------------
** UK
------------------------------------------------------------
** Mental health trust ordered to address safety failings following patients smoking on wards
A mental health trust in Greater Manchester has been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following significant safety concerns on its adult acute and psychiatric intensive care wards. Inspectors found that staff were unable to prevent patients from smoking on the ward and found a paper towel stuffed into a smoke detector during a visit in March. It also uncovered fire safety risks, insufficient staff training, and poor maintenance, with specific issues including unmanaged ligature risks, inadequate medicine storage, and unsupervised illicit drug use. A fire alarm incident revealed staff confusion, while oxygen cylinders and hygiene shortcomings compounded the dangers. The trust has established a new leadership team and pledged urgent action to address these deficiencies.
Source: BBC, 4 December 2024
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
** European health ministers back nonbinding smoking and vaping restrictions
European health ministers have supported a nonbinding proposal to extend smoking and vaping bans to outdoor spaces, including transport hubs, playgrounds and bar and café terraces, despite notable resistance from some countries and European Parliament members. While Germany and Greece abstained, most nations approved the measure, which encourages alignment across Europe but leaves implementation to individual states. Proponents underscored public health benefits and the need for stricter EU-wide tobacco regulations. The move signals growing pressure on the European Commission to introduce binding legislation on tobacco and vaping products.
Source: Politico, 4 December 2024
------------------------------------------------------------
**
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
** Speaker of the House faces criticism for opening gambling firm’s headquarters
Anti-gambling advocates have criticised Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle for inaugurating Betfred’s new headquarters, with a plaque referencing his parliamentary role rather than his position as Rugby Football League (RFL) president. Campaigners argue the act undermines the impartiality of his office, especially given Betfred's history of fines for regulatory breaches and accusations of staff mistreatment. Hoyle's office insists he attended solely as RFL president, despite the plaque’s wording. Critics have called for an apology and the removal of the plaque, highlighting the reputational risks associated with endorsing a controversial gambling operator.
Source: The Guardian, 2 December 2024
See also: ASH – Killer Tactics ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
**
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
** Shop closed for selling illicit tobacco and e-cigarettes
A court has ordered the closure of a Horwich shop, Vape and Candy, for three months following a Trading Standards investigation by Bolton Council. The business was found to be selling illegal tobacco and non-compliant e-cigarettes both on-site and from a nearby vehicle. Authorities seized thousands of cigarettes, kilograms of hand-rolling tobacco, and hundreds of e-cigarettes during the operation. The council emphasised its commitment to combating the sale of unlawful tobacco products to protect public health and ensure compliance with regulations.
Source: The Bolton News, 5 December 2024
------------------------------------------------------------
**
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed] )
Have you been forwarded this email? Subscribe to ASH Daily News here. ([link removed])
For more information email
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected]) or visit www.ash.org.uk
@ASHorguk ([link removed])
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.
============================================================
Our mailing address is:
Action on Smoking and Health
Unit 2.9, The Foundry
17 Oval Way
London
SE11 5RR
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
