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** 16 December 2024
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** UK
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** Single-use vape ban to tackle UK’s growing environmental crisis (#1)
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** Smoking cessation programme achieves major milestone in first year (#2)
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** Chris van Tulleken critiques food industry practices (#3)
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** UK
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** Single-use vape ban to tackle UK’s growing environmental crisis

Research has revealed that over a million vapes are discarded daily in the UK, with their improper disposal causing significant environmental harm. Single-use vapes, which contribute heavily to waste, will be banned from June 2025, with only rechargeable or refillable options permitted for sale.

Vapes contain lithium-ion batteries that pose fire hazards when damaged, alongside valuable materials like lithium and copper that are often lost when discarded improperly. Additionally, littered vapes threaten wildlife.

Environmental advocates are calling for better recycling solutions, including widespread takeback schemes in shops, more public recycling points, and stricter producer and retailer responsibilities to manage waste. Improved legislation may also be required to address the rapid evolution of vape products.

Source: The Guardian, 16 December 2024

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** See also: Material Focus – “Big puff” vapes are surging onto the market adding to the vape environmental crisis ([link removed])
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** Smoking cessation programme achieves major milestone in first year

A smoking cessation service at Royal Papworth Hospital has celebrated its first-year success, helping 450 people quit smoking within 28 days. The programme, part of efforts to reduce health inequalities, supports participants with nicotine replacement therapies and referrals to local services. Former smokers have credited the initiative with providing the support and motivation needed to quit after decades of smoking. With a success rate far exceeding the national average, the service demonstrates the impact of targeted interventions in addressing tobacco dependency.

Source: BBC, 14 December 2024
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** Chris van Tulleken critiques food industry practices

Dr Chris van Tulleken, a leading voice on the dangers of ultra-processed food (UPF), criticises the food industry for using marketing and product design to drive unhealthy consumption, likening its strategies to those of the tobacco industry. He highlights how companies optimise additives and packaging to create dependence. While advocating for stricter regulation, he notes the industry’s role in shaping policies and funding research that downplays health risks. Van Tulleken argues that systemic change is needed to combat the widespread health consequences of UPF, including obesity and chronic illnesses, drawing lessons from tobacco control efforts.

Source: The Sunday Times, 15 December 2024

See also: ASH, AHA, OHA – Killer Tactics ([link removed])

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. This article has been included because it details the health harming tactics used by the food industry which mirror those employed by Big Tobacco.
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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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