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Former health secretary criticises NHS restructure and funding cuts
Dame Patricia Hewitt has voiced concerns about recent government reforms that will see NHS England abolished and Integrated Care Board (ICB) budgets halved. The former health secretary warned that increased central control could undermine local decision-making and make it harder for trusts to meet key targets, such as reducing waiting times. She also criticised the handling of the restructure, describing it as damaging to NHS staff and system leadership. While the government argues the changes will streamline services and reinvest savings into patient care, Hewitt believes they could worsen bureaucracy and hinder efforts to improve healthcare performance.
Source: HSJ, 19 March 2025
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Illegal tobacco and vapes seized in Pembrokeshire raids
Authorities in Pembrokeshire have confiscated illegal tobacco, vaping products, and a significant sum of cash in a targeted operation against the illicit tobacco trade. Conducted by trading standards officers, police, and local council officials as part of Operation CeCe, the raids took place at two shops and involved vehicles used for stocking supplies. One car was also impounded for tax and insurance violations.
Officials warn that cheap, unregulated tobacco is often directed at disadvantaged communities, including young people, while illegal vapes may contain harmful substances exceeding UK safety limits. The operation is part of a wider campaign to curb underage smoking and dismantle criminal networks profiting from illegal sales. More enforcement actions are planned across Wales in the coming months.
Source: Western Telegraph, 21 March 2025
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Sainsbury’s moves vapes behind tills in Glasgow stores amid regulatory changes
Sainsbury’s stores in Glasgow have relocated vape products behind tills as part of a nationwide shift ahead of upcoming restrictions on vape displays, flavours, and packaging. The move follows increasing concerns about youth vaping and aligns with the forthcoming UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will also ban disposable vapes from June. The change required modifications to store layouts, slightly impacting alcohol displays, leading to licensing variations for several locations. Glasgow’s licensing board approved the adjustments, with Sainsbury’s confirming the new product placement strategy has been in place for over a year.
Source: Glasgow Live, 20 March 2025
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Australia introduces new cigarette warnings and restrictions
From April, Australian cigarette packs will feature new health warnings printed directly on each cigarette as part of strengthened anti-smoking regulations. The government aims to deter smoking with messages highlighting its dangers, alongside updated graphic warnings, standardised packaging, and a ban on menthol and other product enhancements. Retailers have until June to phase out old stock.
Australia already has some of the highest cigarette prices due to heavy taxation, with excise rates increasing biannually. However, some argue that the rising costs have contributed to the expansion of the black market. Despite higher taxes, government revenue from tobacco has dropped sharply. While some Australians back the stricter measures, others contend that they may be ineffective, potentially driving more people toward illegal cigarettes.
Source: Daily Mail, 21 March 2025
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ASH blog: The Great Cigarette Filter Fraud
In this blog post, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) argues for a complete ban on cigarette filters, highlighting their lack of health benefits and severe environmental impact. Originally introduced as a marketing tool to reassure smokers, filters have been exposed as ineffective in reducing harm.
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NHS Humber and North Yorkshire: Yes to Quit Campaign
NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB’s regional media campaign is set to launch on the 25th of March and will run until the 20th of May. As part of this initiative, the YestoQuit website will go live on March 24th to support individuals looking to quit smoking. The Yes to Quit campaign is also active on social media. You can find and follow them on:
We encourage you to follow, share, and engage with their posts. Don’t forget to tag their social media accounts when sharing to help spread the word.
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London Review of books: The Disease of Tobacco Smoking and Its Cure
This blog post written by Nicholas Hopkinson, chair of the board of trustees at Action on Smoking and Health and Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Imperial College London, discusses Dr. Lennox Johnston, a pioneering Scottish physician who, as early as 1942, identified nicotine addiction and smoking's severe health risks, including lung cancer. Despite his early warnings, the medical community largely ignored his findings, leading to his frustration and radical advocacy against tobacco use. The post also discusses key studies in the 1950s that shifted public attitudes towards smoking. It stresses that smoking remains a major public health issue and underscores the importance of continued efforts to reduce smoking through legislation and public health campaigns.
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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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