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NHS faces service closures and job cuts amid severe budget pressures
Hospitals and health trusts across England are preparing for drastic spending reductions as they struggle to manage a multi-billion-pound budget shortfall. Despite recent increases in government funding, rising costs, inflation, and pay agreements have left the NHS facing a significant overspend. Areas at risk include mental health support, smoking cessation, and diabetes care for young people. Cuts are also expected to lead to reductions in the number of clinical staff. Some maternity units may also close due to decreased demand. Health leaders warn that these financial pressures will inevitably impact patient care, while government officials urge the NHS to improve efficiency and reduce bureaucracy.
Source: BBC News, 7 May 2025
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Tycoon trims major stakes in top UK tobacco firms
Billionaire Kenneth Dart has begun reducing his significant shareholdings in British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands, having made substantial profits from his early investments. His investment vehicle, Spring Mountain Investments, recently decreased its stake in both companies, following an increase in returns driven by dividends and share buybacks. Dart had built large positions in the firms at a time when many institutional investors were retreating from the sector due to ethical concerns.
Source: The Times, 7 May 2025
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AI vape adviser from wholesaler gives retailers incorrect legal guidance on disposable ban
A chatbot introduced by Scottish wholesaler Filshill to help retailers understand upcoming legislation on single-use vapes has been found to provide misleading advice. Despite drawing on accurate source material, including legislation and expert guidance, the AI tool gave responses in several cases that would lead stores to breach the law. Among the inaccuracies were claims that certain nicotine strengths and THC-containing products were still legal. This raises concerns, especially given the financial and legal consequences of violating the new ban, set to take effect from 1 June 2025.
Source: Better Retailing, 8 May 2025
See also: ASH - The 2025 Disposable Vapes Ban: What You Need to Know |DEFRA - guidance | UK Single-use vapes ban - digital toolkit for businesses
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Smokefree Starts: Smoking and Mental Health Resources
South Yorkshire's Smokefree Starts website now hosts editable resources on smoking and mental health, including leaflets and posters for both the public and professionals. Users can add their own logos and service details. A downloadable discussion guide is also available.
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Podcast: Let’s talk e-cigarettes
In this podcast, Associate Professor Jamie Hartmann-Boyce and Associate Professor Nicola Lindson discuss the new evidence in e-cigarette research and interview Professor Eden Evins from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School about her randomized clinical trial on varenicline for youth vaping cessation.
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Analysis: Behind closed doors: emerging lobbying trends in the new Labour government
This analysis by Transparency International UK examines emerging lobbying trends during the Labour Government's first six months in office. The analysis highlights significant lobbying activity across three key policy areas: tobacco control, football governance, and AI copyright reform. The data shows that tobacco companies are increasingly relying on consultant lobbyists and trade associations to influence policy, as well as submitting evidence to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill Committee. All lobbying data is available through Transparency International UK's Open Access tool, here.
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Digital toolkit for businesses: UK Single-use vapes ban
The UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has released a digital toolkit to help businesses prepare for the disposable vapes beginning on 1 June 2025, featuring downloadable leaflets, posters, and blog content to raise awareness and support compliance. Local authorities and trade groups are encouraged to share these materials with affected retailers.
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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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