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** 14 January 2025
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** UK
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** BMJ feature: How effective are smoking bans? (#2)
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** Obesity expert claims genetics, not willpower, drives overeating (#3)
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** International
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** China's tobacco struggle: Rising smoking rates and weak controls (#4)
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** Parliamentary Activity
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** Parliamentary Written Questions (#5)
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** UK
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** BMJ feature: How effective are smoking bans?

The article examines the global impact of restrictions on smoking in public places. The UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would further restrict smoking in public spaces and ban tobacco sales to those born after January 2009, is highlighted as one of the strictest anti-smoking measures globally.

The article highlights the growing use of smoking bans around the world but points to mixed evidence of effectiveness. Some nations, such as the UK and Canada, are described as success stories and have seen significant declines, while others like France and Portugal have experienced increases in smoking rates.

E-cigarette use complicates the picture, with some countries embracing them as cessation tools, while others face rising dual-use (smoking and vaping) among youth. Additionally, while some countries have achieved reductions in smoking, others, particularly in Africa, face challenges from aggressive tobacco marketing.

Source: BMJ, 9 January 2025

Editorial note: Restricting smoking in public places is effective for reducing smoking prevalence and protecting non-smokers. However, smoking restrictions should be combined with additional measures to reduce smoking uptake and support smokers to quit. The 2008 indoor smoking ban in England led to an additional ([link removed]) 400,000 quits, 1,200 fewer ([link removed]) admissions to hospitals for heart attacks and a 12.3% reduction ([link removed]) in hospital admissions for childhood asthma.
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** Obesity expert claims genetics, not willpower, drives overeating

Professor Naveed Sattar, a leader in obesity healthcare, has argued that overeating is more linked to genetics than willpower, suggesting that people's appetite-regulating genes play a significant role in their weight management. He explained that while many still view people with obesity as lazy or greedy, it is actually the environment that has changed, making it easier to consume excessive calories. Sattar emphasised that individuals with obesity often want to lose weight but struggle due to genetic factors.

Meanwhile, Professor Barbra McGowan highlighted the importance of behaviour changes, such as diet and lifestyle adjustments, in conjunction with weight loss drugs. The NHS has now made weight loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro available to around 3.4 million people in the UK, though the cost of these drugs could be a significant burden, potentially reaching £10 billion annually.

Source: Daily Mail, 13 January 2025
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** International
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** China's tobacco struggle: Rising smoking rates and weak controls

The article discusses the persistent smoking culture in China, despite efforts to reduce tobacco consumption. Unlike in other parts of the world, cigarette sales in China have increased due to weak enforcement of tobacco regulations and the significant revenue generated by the tobacco industry, which the government is reluctant to curb.

China's tobacco production reached 2.4 trillion cigarettes in 2023, marking a rise of over 35% since 2003. Despite China signing the WHO’s tobacco control framework, local governments enforce regulations inconsistently, and the China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC) remains a powerful force, contributing significantly to government revenue. This influence has made stronger tobacco control policies difficult to implement. While some cities have enacted smoking bans, nationwide action has not materialised, and smoking remains widespread due to weak regulations and low cigarette prices. Experts suggest raising tobacco taxes could reduce consumption, but with the economy slowing, tobacco is seen as a "necessary commodity."

Source: The Financial Times, 14 January 2025
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** Parliamentary Activity
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** Parliamentary Written Questions

Asked by Dr Neil Hudson, Conservative, Epping Forest

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle the import of illegal vapes.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to tackle the sale of illegal vapes.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne, Labour, Minister for Prevention and Public Health, Gorton and Denton

The Government is taking concerted effort to tackle the import and sale of illicit vapes. This includes investing up to £3 million over 2023/24 and 2024/25 to support National Trading Standards to deliver a range of enforcement interventions, including the removal of illicit products from the market and intervention at ports. The Government will expand on this by investing a further £30 million in 2025/26 to support tobacco and vapes enforcement action, £10 million of which will go towards bolstering Trading Standards\' ability to tackle illicit tobacco and vapes. Alongside additional investment we are also taking legislative steps to tackle the illicit market. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides powers to introduce a new retail licensing scheme in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland for tobacco, vapes and nicotine products and to establish a new registration system for tobacco, vaping and nicotine products entering the United Kingdom market. We are also introducing a ban on the sale and
supply of single use vapes under environmental legislation.

The Government is taking concerted effort to tackle the import and sale of illicit vapes. This includes investing up to £3 million over 2023/24 and 2024/25 to support National Trading Standards to deliver a range of enforcement interventions, including the removal of illicit products from the market and intervention at ports. The Government will expand on this by investing a further £30 million in 2025/26 to support tobacco and vapes enforcement action, £10 million of which will go towards bolstering Trading Standards\' ability to tackle illicit tobacco and vapes. Alongside additional investment we are also taking legislative steps to tackle the illicit market. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides powers to introduce a new retail licensing scheme in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland for tobacco, vapes and nicotine products and to establish a new registration system for tobacco, vaping and nicotine products entering the United Kingdom market. We are also introducing a ban on the sale and
supply of single use vapes under environmental legislation.
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Question 1 ([link removed])
Question 2 ([link removed])


** Asked by James Asser, Labour, West Ham and Beckton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to tackle health inequalities in (a) England, (b) London, and (c) West Ham and Beckton constituency.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne, Labour, Minister for Prevention and Public Health, Gorton and Denton

The United Kingdom faces significant health inequalities, with life expectancy varying widely across and within communities. The Government is committed to building a fairer Britain by tackling the structural inequalities that contribute to poor health, particularly for disadvantaged groups. Existing initiatives to reduce inequalities in relation to health services in England include NHS England\'s ‘Core 20 Plus 5\', which focuses on improving the five clinical areas at most need of accelerated improvement in the poorest 20 percent of the population, along with other underserved population groups identified at a local level, including groups that share protected characteristics, and socially excluded groups such as people experiencing homelessness. The Office of Health Improvement and Disparities\' London Regional Team provides system leadership for population health and reducing health inequalities across London. Partners are working together to deliver the Health and Care Vision for
London, which sets out a shared ambition to make London the healthiest global city, and the best global city in which to receive health and care services. The Vision aims to tackle issues that cause poor health and health inequalities. The Mayor of London has set out his aims and objectives for addressing health inequalities in London. This sets the direction of travel for collaborative working by the Mayor of London, partners and communities to tackle health inequalities. Newham Local Authority received £34.2 million in Public Health Grant funding in 2024/25. This provides services such as stop smoking, drug and alcohol treatment, health visiting/school nursing, sexual health, and NHS Health Checks among others, all of which contribute to addressing health inequalities. Newham Local Authority, the National Health Service and other partners are working together to improve health equity and address the social determinants of health, including through the ‘50 Steps to a Healthier Newham\'
Strategy and the Newham Centre for Health Equity.
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Question 3 ([link removed])


** Asked by Dr Allison Gardner, Labour, Stoke-on-Trent South

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to fund improved provisions for addiction support services in Stoke-on-Trent South.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne, Labour, Minister for Prevention and Public Health, Gorton and Denton

In addition to the Public Health Grant, the Department provides additional funding to support drug and alcohol services. In 2024/25 a total of £4,670,913 was allocated to Stoke-on-Trent. This included £2,906,020 for the Supplementary Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery grant, £939,906 for the Rough Sleeping Drug and Alcohol Treatment Grant, £589,429 for the Housing Support Grant, £165,719 for the Individual Placement and Support Grant (employment support), and £69,839 for the Inpatient Detoxification Grant. This funding is provided at a local authority level and information on funding at a constituency level is not available. Future targeted funding for drug and alcohol treatment services beyond 2025 will be announced very shortly. The Government is providing £70 million of additional funding for local authority-led Stop Smoking Services in England in 2024/25, building on existing funding made available via the Public Health Grant. The Government will also provide a further £70 million
funding for Stop Smoking Services in 2025/26. As part of this additional funding Stoke-on-Trent has been allocated £381,688 for Stop Smoking Services in 2025/26. The Department remains focused on ensuring those experiencing gambling-related harm can access the right care at the right time. The introduction of a new statutory levy on gambling operators will provide increased, independent funding to support the improvement and expansion of treatment and support services, with NHS England acting as the main treatment commissioner.
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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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