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New campaign urges smokers to quit ahead of No Smoking Day
A former smoker from Teesside is raising awareness of the dangers of smoking after surviving a severe heart attack that nearly claimed his life. Now fronting Fresh’s regional campaign ahead of No Smoking Day, he hopes to encourage others to quit, sharing how stopping has significantly improved his health and quality of life. The initiative, led by Fresh – the North East's official tobacco control programme – aims to provide support and resources to those looking to break free from smoking.
Despite smoking rates in the North East falling dramatically in recent years, dropping from 29% to 11%, tobacco remains a leading cause of preventable death. Health advocates are calling for stronger action, with Fresh's director, Ailsa Rutter, demanding a levy on tobacco companies. Rutter points out that these firms continue to generate enormous profits while their products kill most long-term users.
Source: BBC News, 10 March 2025
See also: Fresh - Smoking Survivor John opens up about his heart attack
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School course encourages students to resist vaping culture
Bridgwater College Academy in Somerset has introduced a course aimed at helping pupils resist the pressures of vaping. The programme encourages young people to think about their future and whether they want to develop an addiction to nicotine. The course, run by the social enterprise Evidence to Impact, aims to reduce smoking and vaping initiation by fostering awareness and providing non-judgemental guidance. Research from 2024 indicates that 18% of children aged 11 to 17 have tried vaping, a decrease from the previous year.
Source: BBC News, 10 March 2025
See also: ASH - Use of vapes (e-cigarettes) among young people in Great Britain
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Doctor highlights severe health risks of smoking shisha
Dr Suraj Kukadia, a GP, has raised concerns over the dangers of smoking shisha, highlighting that an hour-long session can be equivalent to smoking over 100 cigarettes. He used his social media platform to debunk the myth that smoking through water makes tobacco safer, emphasising that shisha can significantly increase the risk of heart disease, strokes, and lung problems.
The British Heart Foundation also warns that shisha contains harmful toxins such as nicotine, carbon monoxide, and heavy metals like arsenic, which contribute to artery damage and raise the risk of severe health conditions. Dr Kukadia also pointed out that even tobacco-free shisha poses health threats due to the harmful chemicals it produces. The doctor urged those who smoke shisha to seek support from local NHS services to quit.
Source: Express, 9 March 2025
See also: British Heart Foundation - Shisha
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Support for people with health issues staying in work could save £1bn
A report by the Commission for Healthier Working Lives suggests that providing more support to individuals with health conditions to remain in work could save the UK government over £1 billion. With 8.2 million people in the UK facing work-limiting health issues, the commission calls for a more proactive approach to workforce inclusion, which it believes would improve economic growth and reduce long-term benefit dependency.
The recommendation includes introducing vocational rehabilitation benefits and creating a caseworker-led service to support both workers and employers. The report highlights the growing number of people leaving work due to illness and urges the government to rethink welfare reforms by focusing on helping individuals stay employed.
Source: The Guardian, 10 March 2025
See also: Health Foundation - Action for healthier working lives: Final report of the Commission for Healthier Working Lives
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Israel introduces graphic warnings and stricter tobacco controls
Israel’s Health Ministry has announced new regulations requiring health warnings to cover 90% of tobacco and e-cigarette packaging. The warnings will be updated annually and tailored for different communities. The initiative also includes higher tobacco taxes, public awareness campaigns, and a national quitline.
Despite a drop in enforcement, officials plan to strengthen monitoring and expect resistance from the tobacco industry. Smoking-related deaths in Israel total 8,000 annually.
Source: Ynet, 7 March 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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