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NHS faces tough balancing act as winter challenges loom
England’s NHS is preparing for its most challenging winter yet, with health leaders highlighting a lack of clarity in government priorities. Ministers aim to address record waiting lists and revive performance targets, particularly the 18-week treatment standard introduced in 2004, which has been unmet since 2016. However, long-standing pressures in urgent care and social care, compounded by a surge in seasonal illnesses, risk derailing these efforts.
Government plans include ambitious reforms to shift care towards prevention, digitalisation, and community-based services. Critics argue that prioritising short-term targets, like reducing treatment delays, could hinder progress on these broader changes. With limited resources and underinvestment compared to other advanced economies, trade-offs appear inevitable, leaving hospital and financial leaders grappling with competing demands. A detailed 10-year NHS plan is expected in the spring.
Source: The Financial Times, 10 December 2024
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Unhealthy urban food environments harm children’s health and widen inequality
The annual report from Professor Sir Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, highlights how limited access to affordable, healthy food and pervasive junk food advertising in cities contribute to poorer health outcomes, especially for children in deprived urban areas. A food system dominated by calorie-dense, unhealthy options exacerbates obesity and related diseases, disproportionately affecting low-income families who face high costs for nutritious diets.
Recommendations include mandatory reporting by food businesses, specific taxes on unhealthy products, and sales targets for healthier options. These measures aim to reduce reliance on voluntary industry action, which has shown limited progress. Structural reforms are also needed to address disparities in food access and promote healthier urban living. Other topics in the report include tackling air pollution, tackling higher rates of smoking in cities and promoting good quality housing.
Source: The Independent, 12 December 2024
See also: Department of Health and Social Care - Chief Medical Officer’s annual report 2024: health in cities
Editorial note: Media stories covering other harmful consumer products, such as alcohol, unhealthy food and drink and gambling, are being included in ASH Daily News because policy change in these areas is indicative of the Government’s position on prevention and their attitudes to harm-causing industries.
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Northern Ireland delays single-use vape ban to align with UK-wide legislation
The ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Northern Ireland has been postponed to 1 June 2025 to coincide with similar measures being introduced across the UK. Environment Minister Andrew Muir cited the environmental harm caused by vape waste, including its impact on biodiversity and limited recyclability, as a key motivator for the legislation.
During the extended preparation period, businesses will have time to clear existing stock, while guidance and support will be provided to ensure compliance. The new law will impose strict penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment, for violations. The decision aligns with public support, as a recent consultation revealed strong backing for restrictions on disposable vapes.
Source: BBC news, 11 December 2024
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Pizza Hut criticised for online casino promotion amid gambling harm concerns
Pizza Hut has faced backlash for a promotion that offered customers free spins at online casinos with takeaway orders. Critics highlighted the risks of promoting highly addictive gambling games, particularly given their association with elevated addiction rates. Campaigners condemned the promotion as irresponsible and dangerous, citing its potential impact on individuals recovering from gambling addiction.
The promotion, linked to a third-party advertising network, was removed shortly after its launch. However, its brief appearance has reignited calls for stricter regulation of gambling advertising, which critics argue remains inadequately addressed in current and proposed government measures. Labour’s recent steps to reform gambling laws, including stake limits on digital slots, do not yet include new restrictions on marketing practices.
Source: The Guardian, 9 December 2024
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Parliamentary Written Questions
Asked by Charlie Dewhirst, Conservative, Bridlington and the Wolds
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the potential increase in incidents of (a) violent crime, (b) physical abuse and (c) verbal intimidation against shopkeepers as a result of a generational ban on tobacco sales.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne, Labour, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Gorton and Denton
Evidence shows that when we have previously introduced targeted tobacco control measures, they have had a positive impact on tackling the problems of illicit tobacco. Consumption of illicit cigarettes has gone from 15 billion cigarettes in 2000/2001 to 1.5 billion cigarettes in 2022/2023. When the age of sale was increased from 16 to 18 years old in 2007, this created 1.3 million more people who were no longer able to be sold cigarettes, and who in theory would be in the market for illicit cigarettes. However, in practice, the number of illicit cigarettes consumed fell by 25%, from 10 billion in 2005/06 to 7.5 billion in 2007/08. The Government is investing over £100 million over five years to boost HM Revenue and Customs and Border Force's enforcement capabilities to tackle illicit tobacco, supporting their Illicit Tobacco Strategy. In 2025/26 we will invest £30 million of new funding in total for enforcement agencies, including Trading Standards.
Source: Hansard, 11 December 2024
Asked by Charlie Dewhirst, Conservative, Bridlington and the Wolds
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government will take steps to support the mental health of shopkeepers responsible with enforcing the implementation of a generational ban on tobacco sales.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an estimate of the potential increase in incidents of (a) violent crime, (b) physical abuse and (c) verbal intimidation against shopkeepers as a result of a generational ban on tobacco sales.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne, Labour, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Gorton and Denton
Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death, disability, and ill health. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom, helping to reduce 80,000 preventable deaths, reduce the burden on the National Health Service, and reduce the burden on the taxpayer.
The impact assessment for the bill was published on 5 November and is considered ‘fit for purpose' by the Regulatory Policy Committee. Whilst the impact assessment was unable to provide an estimate for the number of incidents of abuse towards retail workers due to a lack of evidence, we will consider approaches to assess this specific impact, including using publicly available data, when evaluating the policy.
To mitigate the risk that the smoke-free generation policy will increase the incidence of abuse towards retail workers, we are working closely with retailers and will continue to utilise the long lead-in time to best support retailers and the public in preparing for and implementing the changes to the legislation, which includes rolling out information campaigns for the public and retail workers.
We will not stand for violence and abuse against shopworkers. Everyone has a right to feel safe on the job. The Government will introduce a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.
Source: Hansard, 11 December 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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