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Strengthening smokefree policies in mental health trusts is crucial
Writing in the HSJ, Sir Norman Lamb, Chairman of the South London and Maudsley Foundation Trust, urges mental health trusts to improve their smokefree policies to better protect patients’ health and reduce inequalities. He cites a report from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) which highlights gaps in support for patients who smoke, including weak policies, insufficient leadership, and limited access to alternative treatments. Despite 13% of the general population smoking, 52% of mental health patients in some trusts still smoke, contributing to poor health outcomes and mental health struggles.
Lamb stresses the importance of government support to help patients quit, particularly with new smokefree legislation on the horizon. He also advocates for the integration of vaping products as a safer alternative, the expansion of effective stop-smoking medications, and the provision of consistent guidance to ensure that all trusts offer comprehensive support.
Source: HSJ, 21 March 2025
See also: ASH - Space to breathe: Findings from a survey of smokefree policies and tobacco dependence treatment services in NHS mental health trusts in England, 2024 | HSJ - Patients routinely smoking in hospitals, despite ban
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Tobacco companies resisting plans for a smoke-free generation
Big tobacco companies are actively resisting the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to phase out cigarette sales by banning them for anyone born after 2008. Research from the University of Bath and the Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRG) revealed that 42% of the responses to a government consultation on the Bill came from the tobacco industry or affiliated groups. The companies argue that the generational ban lacks sufficient evidence and could harm retailers while encouraging black-market sales.
Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), criticised the tobacco industry's repetitive arguments against anti-smoking measures, emphasising that these claims have consistently proven to be unfounded. The government remains firm in its support for the Bill. To assist in enforcement, an additional £10 million has been allocated to Trading Standards to curb the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes.
Source: The Mirror, 24 March 2025
Editorial note: The tobacco industry has a history of stoking concerns over illicit tobacco to argue against tobacco control measures. However, the UK illicit tobacco market has declined significantly since 2000 alongside tighter regulation and taxation of tobacco. A report by the World Bank in 2019 showed that the UK has been extremely successful in combatting illicit tobacco trade. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will further strengthen enforcement and provide powers to introduce a retail licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes.
See also: University of Bath – Tobacco Tactics | TCRG | ASH – Tobacco Tactics | Department of Health and Social Care & Ashley Dalton MP - More officers on streets to smoke out illicit tobacco and vapes
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New NHS prescription helps longtime smoker quit
After nearly five decades of heavy smoking, Tony Murphy struggled to quit despite multiple attempts with various treatments. Seeking help from a local smoking cessation clinic, he was prescribed cytisine, a newly approved NHS medication designed to reduce cravings. The drug allowed Tony to quit without withdrawal symptoms. Six months later, Tony is healthier, no longer experiences breathlessness, and has saved hundreds of pounds. Experts highlight cytisine as an affordable and effective option for those trying to stop smoking.
Source: Daily Mail, 21 March 2025
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Crackdown on illegal vapes and tobacco with £10m boost
The government is investing £10 million to tackle the illegal tobacco and vape trade, funding 80 new Trading Standards officers. Ministers warn unregulated products pose serious risks and fuel organised crime. Last year, authorities seized over one million illegal vapes and 19 million counterfeit cigarettes. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, set for debate this week, aims to create a smoke-free generation by banning tobacco sales to those born after 2009 and introducing fines for underage sales.
Source: The Mirror, 22 March 2025
See also: Department of Health and Social Care & Ashley Dalton MP - More officers on streets to smoke out illicit tobacco and vapes
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Alcohol industry faces growing concerns over declining consumption
Investor concerns are mounting over the future of the alcohol industry as declining consumption trends, regulatory pressures, and shifting social attitudes mirror challenges previously faced by the tobacco sector. A significant drop in alcohol consumption, particularly in key markets like the US, has prompted fears of long-term structural change, with younger generations drinking less and health authorities advocating for stronger warnings about alcohol-related risks.
The World Health Organization and national governments are pushing for clearer labelling on products, linking alcohol to health risks such as cancer. At the same time, economic factors, including inflation and post-pandemic shifts in consumer behaviour, have contributed to recent sales slowdowns. Major drinks companies have responded by increasing investment in low and alcohol-free alternatives, framing moderation as an opportunity rather than a threat.
Source: Financial Times, 22 March 2025
Editorial note: Media stories covering prevention of ill-health are being included in ASH Daily News because policy change in these areas is indicative of the Government’s position on prevention and their attitudes to harm-causing industries.
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Opinion: Why smoking remains so prevalent in France
Writing for The Sunday Times, journalist Richard Assheton explores why smoking continues to be widespread in France. Despite tobacco control measures, such as bans on advertising and smoking indoors, the French smoking rate remains high, with over 30% of working-age adults still smoking regularly. Assheton argues this is due to deeply ingrained socio-cultural factors, such as the association of smoking with French identity, particularly through celebrities like Serge Gainsbourg.
Assheton goes on to discuss the role of tobacconists, who are viewed as part of the fabric of French society, providing not only cigarettes but also other services like lottery tickets and train tickets. This long-standing system of tobacco sales under a government-backed monopoly means that tobacco shops are still seen as essential and influential within local communities, making it difficult for anti-smoking efforts to take hold. Assheton also highlights that smoking is particularly prevalent among women, who have seen a rise in smoking-related deaths over the past few decades.
Assheton concludes by noting that while some progress has been made in reducing smoking prevalence, such as a decline in smoking among youth, the French approach to tackling tobacco use has been insufficient in comparison to many other European countries.
Source: The Sunday Times, 22 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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