|
|
|
|
Nicotine pouch promotions spark concerns over youth marketing tactics
British American Tobacco-owned company Velo is facing criticism for distributing free nicotine pouch samples at a Bristol train station and using high-visibility advertising around the city. Campaigners and public health experts argue the promotional activities may appeal to younger audiences, particularly students, despite claims that the initiative is intended for adult nicotine users. Action on Smoking and Health expressed strong disapproval of the approach, drawing parallels with historic marketing strategies used by the tobacco industry. The controversy comes as the government prepares new legislation aimed at curbing youth access and tightening advertising controls on tobacco and nicotine products.
Source: Bristol Post, 29 April 2025
|
|
ICB restructuring moves forward amid lack of clarity and rising concern
Efforts to reduce the number of integrated care boards (ICBs) across England are underway, with regions like the Midlands, South West, and East likely to see the most consolidations. The number of ICBs is likely to reduce from 42 to between 23 and 28. These changes follow a directive to halve administrative costs, though detailed plans outlining which functions will remain with ICBs and which will be reassigned are still awaited. Uncertainty over staffing cuts, funding adequacy, and the role of regional teams has left many health leaders frustrated. Nonetheless, several areas are progressing with plans to merge or share leadership, while balancing pressures from patient care needs.
Source: Health Service Journal, 29 April 2025
|
|
Milk-based drinks to face expanded sugar levy
The government is set to expand the existing sugar tax to include milk-based beverages such as bottled milkshakes and pre-packaged coffees, aiming to close loopholes in current legislation and further reduce sugar consumption. Alongside this change, the threshold for taxable sugar content will drop from 5g to 4g per 100ml, bringing hundreds of additional drinks under the levy. While officials project billions in long-term economic and health savings, critics argue the impact on calorie intake will be minimal and question the policy's fairness. Katharine Jenner of the Obesity Health Alliance welcomed the changes, highlighting the tax's proven role in reducing sugar intake among lower-income groups without affecting overall sales.
Source: The Times, 28 April 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.
|
|
Smokers urged to prepare for June ban on disposable vapes in Northumberland
With a ban on single-use vapes set to take effect across England, Scotland and Wales from 1 June 2025, Fresh is encouraging smokers who use disposables to start transitioning to reusable alternatives. The restriction, introduced on environmental grounds, aims to reduce plastic waste and limit underage access to vapes, but will not affect refillable or rechargeable devices. Ailsa Rutter OBE, director of Fresh and Balance, emphasised that adults trying to quit smoking will still have access to effective support, and highlighted the benefits—both environmental and financial—of switching to reusable products.
Source: Northumberland Gazette, 28 April 2025
|
|
Opinion: Academics claim vaping linked to irreversible lung disease through harmful chemical exposure
Writing in The Conversation, Professors Donal O’Shea and Gerry McElvaney argue that chemicals found in flavoured vaping products may cause permanent lung conditions, including a rare disease known as bronchiolitis obliterans or “popcorn lung”. This condition is associated with the flavouring chemical diacetyl, which has been banned from vape e-liquids in the UK since 2016. However, the authors argue that other chemicals that may be equally harmful remain in use.
Source: The Conversation, 25 April 2025
Editorial note: ‘Popcorn lung’, or bronchiolitis obliterans, is a rare lung disease caused by scarring in the smallest airways, which restricts airflow. It can result from various factors, including infections or inhaling harmful chemicals such as diacetyl. Although some studies have raised concerns about a possible link between diacetyl and e-cigarettes, there have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung caused by vaping. In the past, some e-liquids sold in the UK did contain diacetyl, which led to the idea that vaping might cause ‘popcorn lung’.
However, the chemical was banned in e-cigarette products under the EU Tobacco Products Directive in 2016, meaning all legally sold e-liquids and e-cigarettes in the UK are now diacetyl-free.
The authors do not cite any evidence to support their assertion that vaping causes ‘popcorn lung’ and instead link to media coverage of the story of a US teenager who allegedly developed the condition after vaping for several years. However, the details of this case and the product used are impossible to verify.
For further information read ASH’s briefing on common myths about vaping and CRUK’s article on ‘popcorn lung’.
|
|
Consultation response: Additional Compliance Measures for Vaping Products Duty
The UK Government have published their response to the technical consultation on additional compliance measures for the vaping products duty. The response states that:
• The Government will introduce Vaping Duty Stamps to indicate that duty has been paid on vaping products. Only businesses who have registered with and been approved by HMRC will be permitted to order duty stamps from the appointed supplier. The stamps will have a digital component so they can be scanned to verify that they are legitimate which should aid enforcement efforts.
• The Government will also introduce a system of controls on the supply of nicotine to address the manufacture of illicit vape liquid.
• Legislation to implement the vaping products duty will be laid in Autumn 2025.
|
|
Written Question
Asked by Dr Neil Hudson, Conservative, Epping Forest
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help tackle the sale of illegal nicotine pouches.
Answered by Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Labour, West Lancashire
In Great Britain, nicotine pouches are currently regulated under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, meaning they are subject to general product safety requirements enforced by Trading Standards, including labelling with safety information and warnings about nicotine's addictive nature.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will enhance the regulation of nicotine pouches by providing powers to restrict product packaging and flavours. Powers in the bill will also allow the Government to limit the amount of nicotine in a pouch, as well as ban any other ingredient that might be harmful.
The Government is taking a range of action to tackle illegal nicotine pouches and protect young people from potential harms. The bill will strengthen enforcement and crack down on rogue retailers by enabling the introduction of a retail licensing scheme in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The bill also provides powers to develop a new registration system for all tobacco, vape, and nicotine products. This will help Trading Standards to enforce our rules on product requirements and support improving consumer safety.
Alongside the bill, the Government has announced £10 million of new funding in 2025/26 to Trading Standards, to tackle illicit and underage sales, and to support the implementation of the measures in the bill. This funding will be used to boost the Trading Standards workforce by recruiting approximately 80 new apprentices.
|
|
Have you been forwarded this email? Subscribe to ASH Daily News here.
For more information email [email protected] or visit www.ash.org.uk
@ASHorguk
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
