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Former Tory leadership contender joins tobacco giant in advisory role
Penny Mordaunt, a former Conservative leadership hopeful and cabinet minister, has taken a paid position with British American Tobacco (BAT), advising the firm on its harm reduction strategy. Her appointment follows her departure from Parliament and comes after she abstained on a key vote regarding Rishi Sunak’s proposed smoking ban while overseeing the government’s legislative agenda.
The appointment, cleared by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, restricts her from lobbying the government or engaging in public sector contracts for two years. Despite BAT’s claims of supporting harm reduction, health advocates remain sceptical. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, highlighted that with 80% of BAT’s profits still tied to traditional tobacco sales, the company’s commitment to reducing smoking-related harm appears questionable. She stressed that the only true way to eliminate smoking-related death is to stop smoking entirely—a scenario that would significantly impact BAT’s bottom line.
Source: The Guardian, 10 April 2025
See also: ASH – Tobacco Tactics
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Plans to absorb NHS England into health department by 2026 revealed
The government is aiming to dissolve NHS England by October 2026 and transfer its responsibilities directly into the Department of Health and Social Care. This target, though not final, is contingent on parliamentary approval and sufficient time in the legislative calendar. The move, announced unexpectedly last month, is considered complex and will require careful management under employment law and formal processes.
A transition team has begun working on the restructure, and a newly formed programme board is now planning the changes, with an emphasis on supporting staff during the upheaval. NHS England’s chief executive Sir Jim Mackey also highlighted a new 10-Year Health Plan, set to be published in June, which he believes will restore cohesion across health services.
However, Sir Jim also warned of the need to address significant inconsistencies in performance and spending across local care bodies. Additionally, he expressed concern about declining public trust in the NHS, as highlighted in the latest British Social Attitudes survey, urging renewed efforts to reconnect with the public.
Source: HSJ, 11 April 2025
See also: National Centre for Social Research – British Social Attitudes | Nuffield Trust and The King’s Fund - Public satisfaction with the NHS and social care in 2024: Results from the British Social Attitudes survey
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Government to consult further before regulating vape flavours
The UK government has confirmed its commitment to consult before enforcing any limits on vape flavours under its proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The confirmation comes in response to a public petition launched by VPZ CEO, Greig Fowler, which raised vape industry concerns that flavour restrictions might deter smoking cessation and drive former smokers back to cigarettes.
While ministers intend to retain powers to control flavours—particularly those perceived as appealing to children—they emphasised the need for evidence-based policymaking. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the role flavoured vapes can play in helping adults quit smoking but highlighted the growing issue of youth vaping as a key motivation behind the planned changes. A formal consultation will follow Royal Assent of the bill, with any final regulations subject to parliamentary scrutiny.
Source: Asian Trader, 10 April 2025
See also: Petitions – Government response: Do not restrict vape flavours
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Smoking may worsen schizophrenia symptoms while raising risk of the condition
Scientists are continuing to investigate whether smoking contributes to the development of schizophrenia or if people with a predisposition to the illness are more inclined to take up smoking. Individuals diagnosed with the condition are far more likely to smoke than the general population. While nicotine may temporarily ease certain symptoms or improve cognitive function, it also appears to exacerbate more severe manifestations such as hallucinations. Genetics, environmental triggers, and brain structure are also key factors in schizophrenia’s onset. Despite possible short-term benefits, the health risks associated with smoking remain substantial, underlining the importance of harm reduction strategies tailored to those with mental health conditions.
Source: Healthline, 10 April 2025
See also: ASH – Smoking and Mental Health
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Yorkshire Cancer Research urges more measures to tackle smoking
Yorkshire Cancer Research has highlighted the need for additional actions to reduce smoking-related deaths in the region. While the charity supports the recently passed Tobacco and Vapes Bill, it believes that more comprehensive measures are necessary to address the ongoing impact of smoking. The Bill aims to gradually phase out tobacco sales, but the charity calls for further steps, such as increased investment in stop smoking services, a ban on smoking in certain public areas, and offering support for quitting during NHS visits.
Despite the government's efforts, including allocating additional funding for smoking cessation services, Yorkshire Cancer Research points out that funding is still significantly lower than it was a decade ago. The charity also advocates for a tax on the tobacco industry to generate further funds for smoking cessation initiatives.
Source: The Yorkshire Post, 10 April 2025
See also: ASH – The Tobacco and Vapes Bill | APPG Report - A Roadmap to a Smokefree Country: No one starts, everyone stops, no profit in tobacco
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Campaigners call for tougher restrictions on junk food advertising in Liverpool
Campaigners in Liverpool are urging stricter regulations on junk food advertising following a study revealing that half of the city's billboard ads promote unhealthy products. The study, conducted by Bite Back in partnership with the University of Liverpool, highlights that many of these ads target deprived areas, where obesity and related health issues are more prevalent. The campaign group, which is actively replacing junk food ads with messages promoting healthier choices, is pushing for the extension of upcoming TV advertising bans to include outdoor ads. The government has acknowledged the need for action, with a ban on junk food ads before 9 pm set to take effect in 2025. However, Bite Back and public health experts argue for broader restrictions to reduce childhood obesity and improve public health.
Source: BBC News, 10 April 2025
See also: Bite Back – Fuel Us Don’t Fool Us: Are food giants bombarding young on our streets?
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ASH blog: The 2025 Disposable Vapes Ban: What You Need to Know
In this blog, Noah Traill, Policy Assistant at Action on Smoking and Health, delves into the Government’s Disposable Vapes Ban, explaining what impact it will have on retailers, health professionals and people who vape. The blog also highlights the Government’s rationale behind the ban, exploring their motivations for taking disposable vapes off of Britain’s streets.
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Podcast: Prevention is the new cure – NHSE special
This podcast, hosted by Steve Brine, former MP and Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee and Dr Sarah Wollaston, a former Liberal Democrat MP and a general practitioner interviews Richard Meddings, former chair of NHS England. In his first broadcast interview since leaving the role, Meddings talks candidly about how he got the job, the organisation's abolition and the risks of the top-down reorganisation that will follow. Meddings also speaks on Wes Streeting, the Ten-Year Plan, the Nuffield Trust’s Social Attitudes Survey, and what the UK should do next in health policy.
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Podcast: Prevention is the new cure
This podcast episode, hosted by Steve Brine, former MP and Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee and Dr Sarah Wollaston, a former Liberal Democrat MP and a general practitioner has a special emphasis on alcohol and is sponsored by the Alcohol Health Alliance. From 3:42 Steve and Sarah are joined Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance and special advisor on alcohol to the Royal College of Physicians.
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ITV News Archive: When a Bristol-based airline banned smoking on flights
This 1987 video clip from the ITV News archives covers when a Bristol-based airline decided to ban smoking on flights. Paramount airline took the bold decision to ban smoking on their flights ten years before it became illegal.
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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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