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** 20 March 2025
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** UK
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** Increase in repeat hospital visits for lung conditions (#1)
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** Opinion: The Government’s Health Mission has stalled (#2)
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** Boston shopkeeper jailed for selling illicit cigarettes and vapes (#3)
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** Kent initiative reports progress in tackling illegal vape sales (#4)
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** Hammersmith couple fined for selling illegal vapes to teenagers (#5)
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** Parliamentary activity
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** Written questions (#6)
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** UK
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** Increase in repeat hospital visits for lung conditions

New analysis has revealed a sharp rise in the number of people seeking emergency care multiple times a year for lung conditions, with the North East and North Cumbria recording the highest figures. Data analysis found that 4,490 patients in the region required frequent hospital visits in 2023/2024, while overall numbers across England rose by nearly 23% compared to the previous year.

A significant proportion of those affected suffer from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with many not receiving follow-up care after emergency treatment. Experts warn that lung health is being neglected and stress the urgent need for better preventative care, particularly in deprived areas where poor housing and smoking contribute to worsening conditions.

The government has highlighted its investments in healthcare, including new surgical hubs and diagnostic technology, alongside measures to reduce smoking. However, campaigners argue that respiratory health must become a greater priority in national healthcare planning to prevent ongoing strain on emergency services.

Source: BBC, 19 March 2025
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** Opinion: The Government’s Health Mission has stalled

Writing in the HSJ, Kings Fund CEO, Sarah Woolnough discusses the Government’s Health Mission. Woolnough critiques the government’s approach, arguing that the focus remains too narrowly on the NHS rather than broader health goals. While the upcoming 10-Year Health Plan is important, there is a risk that wider ambitions—such as tackling health inequalities—are forgotten.

Woolnough highlights the importance of addressing the social determinants of health, such as air pollution, smoking, obesity, and economic conditions, but notes that progress in many of these areas has been slow. To drive meaningful change, Woolnough outlines six key actions: ensuring greater transparency in policy development, prioritising cross-government initiatives, integrating health goals with economic growth strategies, aligning devolution efforts with health objectives, strengthening the role of integrated care systems, and maintaining strong political leadership.

She warns that without decisive action, the country’s long-term fiscal sustainability will be at risk, as an ageing and increasingly unwell population will place growing pressure on public services. The government, she argues, has the mandate, majority and opportunity to deliver real transformation, but must act swiftly to put its broader health mission back on track.

Source: Health Service Journal, 19 March 2025
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** Boston shopkeeper jailed for selling illicit cigarettes and vapes

A shopkeeper has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison after being caught selling illegal cigarettes and vapes across multiple locations.

During a raid in February 2023, Lincolnshire Trading Standards officers uncovered a concealed stash of illegal tobacco products worth £3,000. Investigators also found an "electronic hide" disguised as a wall to store the illicit goods.

The shopkeeper was sentenced at Derby Crown Court and ordered to pay £20,000 in costs. The case forms part of a broader crackdown on illegal tobacco sales, with recent operations in Lincolnshire seizing over 90,000 counterfeit cigarettes and hundreds of vapes from multiple shops.

Source: BBC News, 19 March 2025
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** Kent initiative reports progress in tackling illegal vape sales

A partnership in Kent aimed at reducing illegal vape sales has reported a decline in offences since its launch in Tunbridge Wells last September. The initiative, involving Kent County Council, Kent Police, and the Independent British Vape Trade Association, has focused on ensuring retailers comply with regulations.

Between September and December, Trading Standards officers inspected over 40 shops, assessing age-verification policies, signage, and product compliance. A test purchasing exercise found that only 20% of retailers checked ID correctly, highlighting the need for further action to prevent underage sales.

A survey of local residents found strong public support for stricter enforcement against those selling vapes to minors. The pilot scheme will continue, with its findings contributing to the development of a national programme, while also providing guidance ahead of the upcoming ban on single-use vapes in June.

Source: BBC News, 19 March 2025
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** Hammersmith couple fined for selling illegal vapes to teenagers

A couple in Hammersmith have been fined over £4,000 after repeatedly selling illegal vapes, including to underage customers. The couple admitted to multiple offences committed between March and December 2023, despite previous warnings from Trading Standards officers.

Investigators found one of the couple had sold oversized vapes containing e-liquid far beyond the legal limit and had continued trading even after official warnings. He had attempted to conceal illegal products in a car outside his shop and was later arrested at Heathrow Airport after failing to attend court. His wife also pleaded guilty to selling restricted products.

The couple’s business has now been dissolved, and their shop has shut down. Council officials welcomed the convictions but questioned whether the penalties were sufficient to deter others from similar offences. The local authority reiterated its commitment to protecting public health by taking swift action against illegal trading.

Source: The Standard, 19 March 2025
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** Parliamentary activity
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** Written questions

Asked by Tristan Osborne, Labour, Chatham and Aylesford

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to his Department's guidance on the single-use vapes ban, published on 20 January 2025, how the Department plans to enforce this guidance; and if he will consider placing it on a statutory footing through secondary legislation.

Answered by Mary Creagh, Minister for Nature, Labour, Coventry East

Trading standards will be responsible for enforcing the single-use vapes ban. The published guidance provides businesses with the information they need to know to ensure that they are complying with the requirements laid out in The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024 legislation. It is already a legal requirement that this legislation is complied with and the current business guidance covers these new legal responsibilities.
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** Asked by Tristan Osborne, Labour, Chatham and Aylesford

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the guidance entitled Single-use vapes ban, published on 20 January 2025, what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) relevant enforcement authorities and (b) Trading Standards are informed of changes to the MHRA notified products list.

Answered by Mary Creagh, Minister for Nature, Labour, Coventry East

We are working closely with regulators and enforcing authorities, including trading standards, to ensure that they are prepared for the introduction of the single-use vapes ban on 1 June 2025 and to ensure that relevant information is shared.
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** Asked by Dr Al Pinkerton, Liberal Democrat, Surrey Heath

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

Answered by Ashley Dalton Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Labour, West Lancashire

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will strengthen the enforcement of vape sales regulations by giving Ministers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland the ability to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vapes and nicotine products. The licensing scheme will support Trading Standards to crack down on rogue vape retailers. The Bill also enables the introduction of a new registration scheme for tobacco, vape and nicotine products sold on the United Kingdom market. This will help ensure products are compliant with product safety and standards requirements and will enable Trading Standards to remove non-compliant products from the market quickly and efficiently.

In 2025/26, we will invest £10 million of new funding in Trading Standards to enhance their work to tackle the illicit and underage sale of tobacco and vapes, and support the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

The introduction of a new Vaping Products Duty in October 2026 will provide civil and criminal powers for HM Revenue and Customs to assess for duty and seize products and equipment used to produce or transport illicit vape products.
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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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