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Northern Ireland backs smoking and vaping restrictions
Northern Ireland's Health Minister has proposed the extension of the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill at the Assembly, describing it as a rare chance to protect public health. The legislation will introduce a generational smoking ban, alongside tighter restrictions on vape advertising. Concerns over rising youth vaping rates were highlighted, with support expressed for stronger regulations. The Assembly approved the motion meaning that Northern Ireland will be included in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Source: Daily Mail, 10 February 2025
See also: Cancer Research UK. The road to a smokefree UK: MLAs in Northern Ireland vote in favour of Tobacco and Vapes Bill
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NICE approves cytisine as a new smoking cessation treatment
NICE has recommended cytisine as an additional medication to help people quit smoking, expanding the options available to GPs. The treatment is now included alongside nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, and bupropion, with behavioural support advised for all patients attempting to stop. Evidence suggests cytisine is effective, performing similarly to varenicline and better than nicotine replacement therapy or placebo. However, research on its impact across different population groups remains limited.
Source: Pulse, 10 February 2025
See also: The National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training guidance on how to prescribe the drug.
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TikTok Dentist claims vaping could affect tongue health
A dentist has taken to TikTok to post about possible side effects of vaping for oral Health. The dentist explained that he was seeing patients who are heavy vapers having dry mouths which can lead to oral health issues such as issues with taste buds. He said that these issues should go away if you cut down on your vaping.
Source: Daily Mail, 10 February 2025
Editorial note: This story is anecdotal and is not based on any published evidence. The evidence shows that switching from smoking to vapes is still vastly better for oral health than smoking. A review of the impact of vaping on oral health in Dentistry noted that long term use of vapes ‘is a balanced judgement between smoking relapse prevention against the small risk of any detrimental effects from the e-cigarettes themselves. Non-smokers taking up e-cigarettes will, however, be exposing themselves to unnecessary risks. The oral health consequences in this group are still poorly studied. We need more well-conducted research’.
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Bar owner in Gloucestershire fined for allowing smoking indoors
A bar owner in Dursley who failed to prevent smoking inside his premises has been ordered to pay a fine of £600 by a magistrates’ court. The fine relates to two separate occasions upon which the owner failed to stop customers smoking. A local Councillor said the fine sent a clear message that smoking indoors is not tolerated.
Source: Stroud News, 10 February 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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