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** 26 March 2025
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** UK
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** Smoke-free UK could boost economy and create jobs, report finds (#1)
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** Hull campaign urges smokers to quit for their health and future (#2)
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** Tobacco-industry linked survey claims majority do not support tobacco sales ban for future generations (#3)
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** Two-thirds of smokers in Surrey successfully quit, despite rising smoking rates in parts of England (#4)
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** Opinion: How the Government will modernise the NHS (#5)
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** International
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** EU health ministers urge stronger tobacco controls (#6)
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** UK
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** Smoke-free UK could boost economy and create jobs, report finds

A new report by Landman Economics for the charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) suggests that eliminating smoking in the UK could bring significant economic benefits. The study finds that money currently spent on tobacco contributes little to economic growth, whereas redirecting it to other goods and services could create up to 135,000 full-time jobs and boost the economy by nearly £10 billion annually. With minimal tobacco production in the UK, the shift away from smoking would have a far greater positive impact on economic output than previously estimated.

Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of ASH, highlighted the importance of the findings as MPs prepared to vote on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to gradually phase out smoking for future generations. She stressed that banning tobacco sales to those born on or after the 1 January 2009 would not only safeguard public health but also generate economic opportunities. Health experts have largely backed the Bill, seeing it as a critical step toward a smoke-free UK.

Cancer Research UK and Asthma and Lung UK support the proposals, arguing that reducing smoking rates will save lives and relieve strain on the NHS. Public health minister Ashley Dalton pointed to the £21 billion annual cost of smoking, including lost productivity and healthcare expenses.

Source: The Independent, 26 March 2025

See also: ASH & Landman Economics - The economic impact of a smokefree United Kingdom – 2024 update: technical report ([link removed])
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** Hull campaign urges smokers to quit for their health and future

A new campaign, ‘Yes to Quit,’ has launched across Yorkshire and the Humber to encourage smokers to stop and raise awareness of the dangers of tobacco use. Featuring real-life stories from former smokers, the initiative highlights the devastating health impact of smoking and the importance of quitting before it’s too late.

Scott Crosby, Associate Director for the Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control, emphasised that smoking kills two in three long-term smokers and remains a major cause of preventable death in the region. The campaign coincides with the progression of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to create a smoke-free generation through restrictions on tobacco sales and tighter vaping regulations.

Source: HullLive, 26 March 2025

See also: Yorkshire and Humber - Y ([link removed]) estoQuit ([link removed])
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** Tobacco-industry linked survey claims majority do not support tobacco sales ban for future generations

A recent survey commissioned by Forest, a tobacco industry-funded lobbying group, shows that 55% of adults support options other than a complete ban on tobacco sales for future generations, a key component of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The survey, which included 2,000 participants, revealed that only a third of 18-24-year-olds supported the generational ban. Simon Clark, director of Forest, claimed the age escalator will increase the illicit tobacco market and urged MPs to respect freedom of choice.

Source: Convenience Store, 25 March 2025

Editorial note: This polling was commissioned by Forest who are funded by the tobacco industry. Even in the Forest poll ([link removed]) , raising the age of sale to create a smokefree generation was the most popular option among adults surveyed, supported by 39% of respondents. This compares to 31% in favour of raising the age to 21 and 24% supporting keeping the age of sale at 18. The Forest survey does not appear to have asked about support for each measure individually, meaning that it cannot give a clear picture of support/opposition.

The public overwhelmingly supports tobacco control measures, including the generational smoking ban. The latest polling carried out by YouGov for ASH shows that raising the age of sale is supported by 69% of GB adults, with only 12% opposed. Support is consistent among supporters of the three main parties (Lab 74%, Con 70%, Lib Dem 75%). Among 18-24 year olds, support is 67%, with 13% opposed.

See also: Tobacco Tactics - Forest ([link removed]) | ASH - Briefing on the tobacco industry and their tactics ([link removed]) | Support for Stopping the Start: Local retailers and the public back smokefree generation laws ([link removed])
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** Two-thirds of smokers in Surrey successfully quit, despite rising smoking rates in parts of England

New figures show that two-thirds of smokers in Surrey who attempt to quit are successful, contrasting with rising smoking rates in some areas of England. The figures show that while Surrey benefits from strong quit rates, other regions face challenges in curbing tobacco use. Factors such as socio-economic status, limited access to support services, and regional differences in health education are contributing to the rising smoking rates in certain areas.

John Waldron, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at ASH, noted that while quitting remains difficult, success is more likely when there is access to effective cessation services and called on the government to develop regional tobacco control offices across the country to support local delivery. He also urged the Government to allocate more long-term funding to help councils provide sustained support to smokers.

Source: The Farnham Herald, 25 March 2025
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** Opinion: How the Government will modernise the NHS

Writing in the Times, Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting outlines the government’s plans to modernise the NHS in response to the current challenges it faces. Streeting argues that, while the NHS’s performance has often been criticised, it is essential to address the productivity issues within the system in order to make it sustainable for the future. He highlights the inefficiencies that have led to rising costs, such as an increase in hospital staff without a proportional rise in treatments. In response, he says the government is introducing measures to streamline services, including investing in technology and cutting down on wasteful practices.

Streeting also discusses the importance of modernising healthcare infrastructure, stressing that technological advancements should lead to more efficient and cost-effective services. Looking forward, Streeting details the government's long-term plans for transforming the NHS. He proposes a shift from a hospital-based, analogue system to a community-focused, digital, and preventative model. With these reforms, the government aims to equip the NHS to better handle the challenges posed by an ageing population, ensuring that it remains affordable, effective, and able to meet the needs of future generations.

Source: The Times, 26 March 2025
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** International
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** EU health ministers urge stronger tobacco controls

Health ministers from 12 European countries have called on the European Commission to act more swiftly on tobacco and nicotine products, particularly e-cigarettes, which are increasingly popular among youth. They urged the Commission to implement stricter regulations, including restrictions on flavours, nicotine levels, and online sales, to better protect children.

The ministers also expressed concern over delays in revising key tobacco laws, initially planned for 2022 and 2024, and called for these updates to be prioritised in 2025 to address the rapidly evolving market.

Source: Euronews, 26 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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