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** 15 January 2025
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** UK
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** Financial incentives proven to help pregnant women quit smoking (#2)
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** Smoking in early adulthood linked to lower earnings and employment stability (#1)
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** Researchers in tobacco and food regulation face intimidation tactics (#3)
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** British American Tobacco stake sold for 1.2 billion (#4)
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** Experts call for redefining obesity to improve diagnosis and treatment (#5)
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** Rising liver cancer deaths signal need for urgent action on preventable risk factors (#6)
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** UK
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** Financial incentives proven to help pregnant women quit smoking

The Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group has welcomed the findings from a new study, showing that financial incentives are highly effective for helping people quit smoking during pregnancy. The study published by Cochrane reviewed 47 trials, including 13 focused on pregnancy, and found that women receiving rewards were more likely to remain smokefree both during and after pregnancy.

The Government is currently rolling out a national scheme to offer all pregnant women who smoke financial incentives alongside stop smoking support. However, the funding for this scheme is set to conclude in March 2025. The Group has called on the government to extend the national scheme to ensure women and families get the support they need to have a smokefree pregnancy.

Source: Dental Nursing, 14 January 2025

See also: Cochrane Review: Can rewards help people quit smoking, and do they work in the long term? ([link removed])

ASH PR: Baby coalition calls on government to extend financial incentive scheme to help pregnant smokers quit ([link removed])
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** Smoking in early adulthood linked to lower earnings and employment stability

A study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research highlights the negative economic consequences of smoking on younger workers, particularly those with lower educational attainment. Using data from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, researchers found that cumulative tobacco exposure, measured in "pack-years," was associated with reduced earnings and employment duration. For each unit increase in pack-years, earnings decreased by 1.8%, however, the researchers noted that this trend was not observed in people who had quit smoking. Study lead, Jutta Viinikainen, said the results revealed a need for policies that address the hidden economic cost of smoking and promote smoking cessation.

Source: Medical Xpress, 14 January 2025

See also: Jutta Viinikainen et al, Tobacco smoking in early adulthood and labor market performance: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, (2024) ([link removed])

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** Researchers in tobacco and food regulation face intimidation tactics

A study published in Health Promotion International reveals that scientists and advocates working to address harms from tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed foods often face various forms of intimidation, including public discreditation, legal threats, and, in some cases, physical violence. The review examined 64 sources documenting such tactics between 2000 and 2022, with the most common being public criticism through media and social platforms.

Caroline Cerny, deputy chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), noted that social media has exacerbated these issues, creating more opportunities for abuse. She highlighted the strong financial incentives behind these tactics, which often involve questioning the validity of data or research methods. ASH staff have even received legal threats via e-mail.

The study found that despite these pressures, most researchers remain undeterred, underscoring the need for improved legal and emotional support. Researchers hope for greater collaboration across public health fields to share resources and resilience strategies.

Source: Nature, 13 January 2025

See also: Intimidation against advocates and researchers in the tobacco, alcohol and ultra-processed food spaces: ([link removed]) a review, Health Promotion International 2024
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** British American Tobacco stake sold for 1.2 billion

The holder of a 2% stake in British American Tobacco has sold their share of the company for £1.22 billion.

The sale comes as share prices for BAT fell as much as 2.9% this week, its sharpest drop since last October.

Source: Yahoo Finance, 14 January 2025

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** Experts call for redefining obesity to improve diagnosis and treatment

A global report published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology urges a shift from using body mass index (BMI) as the sole indicator of obesity to a more nuanced approach that assesses overall health. Researchers point out that BMI does not take into account a difference between muscle and fat, or distinguish between overall body fat and particular dangerous fat around the waist and organs.

The report calls for a distinction between "clinical obesity," where excess fat leads to health issues like heart disease or type 2 diabetes, and "pre-clinical obesity," where individuals remain healthy but are at risk.

Experts recommend tailored treatments, including weight-loss drugs for those with clinical obesity and lifestyle interventions for pre-clinical cases. They argue this reframing improves diagnostic accuracy and ensures appropriate care, but concerns about limited healthcare funding remain.

Source: BBC News, 15 January 2025

See also: Definition and diagnostic criteria of clinical obesity ([link removed]) , The Lancet 2025
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** Rising liver cancer deaths signal need for urgent action on preventable risk factors

Liver cancer deaths in the UK have nearly doubled over two decades, with Cancer Research UK estimating that 5,800 people die from the disease annually. By 2040, this figure could rise by 10%. Lifestyle factors play a significant role in liver cancer, with nearly half of cases deemed preventable. Smoking is linked to over 20% of cases, alongside obesity and alcohol consumption.

The NHS and Cancer Research UK emphasise the importance of quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing alcohol intake to lower risks. Advocates call for government action, including passing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, to accelerate progress toward a smokefree future and reduce cancer-related harm. Early detection remains critical, but significant regional disparities hinder timely diagnosis and care.

Source: Daily Mail, 15 January 2025

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** See also: Cancer Research UK PR: Death rates from liver cancer double in the last 20 years ([link removed])
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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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