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** 9 January 2025
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** UK
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** Opinion: Reviving the '90s without the risks: curbing the glamorisation of smoking (#1)
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** NHS trusts declare critical incidents amid mounting winter pressures (#2)
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** Weight-loss medications show promise in reversing UK obesity trends (#3)
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** Blackburn raid uncovers hidden haul of illicit tobacco and vaping products (#4)
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** Parliamentary Activity
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** Parliamentary Written Questions (#5)
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** UK
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** Opinion: Reviving the '90s without the risks: curbing the glamorisation of smoking

Writing in the BMJ, Caroline Cerny, Deputy Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health writes about the rising prevalence of smoking in popular culture. Cerny writes that the resurgence of '90s nostalgia has brought back more than just bucket hats and Britpop—it has also reintroduced the troubling allure of smoking, with influencers and celebrities portraying it as stylish and rebellious. Despite decades of progress in reducing smoking rates among young people, this trend risks undoing public health achievements. In the UK, smoking rates among 11-15-year-olds have dropped to just 3%, thanks to strict tobacco regulations and awareness campaigns. However, around 350 young adults still take up smoking daily, underscoring the continued need for vigilance.

Media depictions of smoking, whether in fashion, films, or on social media, strongly influence young audiences, fostering a damaging association with glamour and coolness. Current regulations on tobacco portrayal in media fail to keep pace with the unregulated nature of social media content. Influencers, creators, and platforms must act responsibly to counteract the normalisation of this deadly addiction.

Additionally, public health initiatives have waned, with funding for anti-smoking campaigns cut drastically over the past decade. Re-investment in targeted messaging, particularly on social media, could help combat the rise in pro-smoking imagery. Learning from the mistakes of the 1990s, society must reject the romanticisation of smoking to protect future generations from its devastating health consequences.

Source: BMJ, 7 January 2025
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Read Here ([link removed])


** NHS trusts declare critical incidents amid mounting winter pressures

Amid severe winter challenges, NHS trusts in England are struggling to manage an influx of patients, with Gloucestershire Acute Trust declaring a critical incident. Measures include cancelling non-urgent surgeries, urgently discharging patients, and limiting admissions to alleviate overcrowding in emergency departments. Staff have been instructed to prioritise freeing up hospital beds and to wear masks due to a rise in flu cases, which are expected to peak in the coming weeks.

South Warwickshire NHS Trust has also reached crisis levels, urging patients to only attend A&E for life-threatening emergencies. Delays in patient handovers have hit unprecedented levels, with ambulance services reporting record hours lost due to overwhelmed A&Es. Experts warn that the situation is likely to worsen before improving, exacerbated by high flu transmission and respiratory illnesses.

Source: The Guardian, 9 January 2024

See also: ASH - Addressing winter pressures through treating tobacco dependency ([link removed])
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** Weight-loss medications show promise in reversing UK obesity trends

The growing use of weight-loss injections, such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, could signal a turning point in the UK’s battle against obesity. Data from Simple Online Pharmacy indicates that half a million people are using these drugs, achieving significant weight loss of up to 20% within months. Projections suggest one million individuals could reverse obesity within a year, potentially leading to a nationwide decline in obesity rates.

Despite this progress, access remains heavily skewed towards private patients, with just a fraction of eligible NHS users receiving treatment due to funding constraints. This disparity highlights concerns about inequality in healthcare, as many in need are unable to afford the costly medication. While public health measures like the sugar tax have stabilised obesity rates, experts are calling for increased government funding to expand access and address the unmet demand.

Source: Sky News, 9 January 2025

Editorial note: Media stories covering prevention of ill-health 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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** Blackburn raid uncovers hidden haul of illicit tobacco and vaping products

A joint operation by Blackburn with Darwen Council trading standards and police uncovered a significant stash of illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes at a local newsagents. Using a specially trained sniffer dog, officers found over 1,300 non-compliant cigarettes, 700 grams of counterfeit tobacco, and 56 unauthorised vaping devices hidden in concealed compartments in the shop’s back room.

The seized items violate multiple regulations, including labelling standards and safety approvals, and have been referred to HM Revenue and Customs track and trace team for further action. The shop owner faces a potential £2,500 fine for a first offence, and the premises will be closely monitored in future inspections. The council emphasised its commitment to tackling the illegal trade of tobacco and vaping products, employing advanced tools and strategies to disrupt such activities.

Source: Lancashire Telegraph, 9 January 2025
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** Parliamentary Activity
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** Parliamentary Written Questions

Asked by Mary Glindon, Labour, Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of deterring adults who might otherwise smoke cigarettes from using flavoured vapes on public health.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to help increase levels of awareness of the potential merits of switching to (a) vapes and (b) other alternatives to smoking among adult smokers, in the context of nicotine product display restrictions

Answered by Andrew Gwynne, Labour, Minister for Prevention and Public Health, Gorton and Denton
The youth vaping call for evidence, published in 2023, demonstrated that vape flavours are one of the main reasons that vapes appeal to children. However, we recognise that vape flavours can also be a consideration for adult smokers seeking to quit smoking.That is why it is important we strike the balance between restricting vape flavours to reduce their appeal to young people, whilst ensuring vapes remain available for adult smokers as a smoking cessation tool. Before laying any regulations in Parliament, we will undertake a full public consultation to ensure we get this balance right, and consider the views of a range of stakeholders. We will also undertake a full impact assessment on any future flavour restrictions.The Tobacco and Vapes Bill includes regulation making powers to limit how nicotine products are displayed. These are also subject to consultation. Adult smokers will still be able to access vapes as well as other alternative methods to stop smoking. Vapes are commonly used
alongside behavioural support within local Stop Smoking Services, helping thousands of adults each year to live healthier lives. In addition, our national Swap to Stop scheme is supporting adult smokers to swap cigarettes for vapes.

Source: Hansard, 8 January 2025

Asked by Richard Holden, Conservative, Basildon and Billericay
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the implementation of a generational ban on tobacco sales on trends in the level of (a) counterfeit cigarettes and (b) contraband cigarettes being consumed in the UK.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne, Labour, Minister for Prevention and Public Health, Gorton and Denton
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bridlington and The Wolds on 11 December 2024 to Question UIN 17992 ([link removed]) .

Source: Hansard, 8 January 2025

Asked by Richard Holden, Conservative, Basildon and Billericay
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether additional powers will be made available to law enforcement officers to penalise (a) barber shops, (b) off-licences, (c) bookmakers, (d) pubs and (e) other non-grocery and non-newsagent premises illegally selling tobacco products as a result of the implementation of a generational ban on tobacco sales.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on the illegal sale of tobacco products in (a) non-grocery and (b) non-newsagent premises.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne, Labour, Minister for Prevention and Public Health, Gorton and Denton
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will put us on track to a smoke-free United Kingdom, helping to reduce around 80,000 preventable deaths and reduce the burden on the National Health Service and on the taxpayer.

Whilst the published impact assessment on the Bill makes no specific assessment of the potential impact on the illegal sale of tobacco products in non-grocery and non-newsagent premises, we expect most retailers who sell tobacco, regardless of the type of business, to comply with the new and existing measures in the Bill. Further impact assessments will be prepared in advance of secondary legislation, including for a future licensing scheme, which aims to crack down on rogue retailers.

The Bill takes bold action to strengthen enforcement and crack down on rogue retailers who break the law regardless of the type of business. It introduces new £200 fixed penalty notices (FPNs), in England and Wales, to support Trading Standards Officers to take swifter enforcement action by issuing on-the-spot fines rather than needing to go through lengthy court processes. Trading Standards will be able to issue a £200 FPN for a range of offences, including to anyone who illegally sells tobacco products to someone underage.

The Bill also provides powers for Ministers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco products, herbal smoking products, cigarette papers, vaping, and nicotine products. The licensing scheme will support legitimate businesses, act as a deterrent to rogue retailers and provide enforcement agencies with further opportunities to bring penalties against these retailers. We will consult on the details of the licensing scheme ahead of introducing regulations, including the types of business which may hold a licence and the licence conditions.

Source: Hansard, 8 January 2025

Asked by Andrew Rosindell, Conservative, Romford
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate the Office of National Statistics has made of total spending on tobacco products in each of the last five years; and if they will make an estimate of what proportion of this spending is on illegal tobacco.

Answered by Georgia Gould, Minister for the Cabinet Office, Labour, Queen’s Park and Maida Vale
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
A response to the Hon. Gentleman’s Parliamentary Question of 18 December is attached ([link removed]) .

Source: Hansard, 8 January 2025
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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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