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** 13 May 2025
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** UK
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NHS budget cuts threaten progress in reducing smoking during pregnancy (#1)


** Opinion: Greater Manchester prioritises prevention to reshape health and care (#2)
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** Ethnic disparities in asthma care highlight wider health inequalities (#3)
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** Early adulthood obesity linked to significantly higher risk of premature death (#4)
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** New pouch flavours launched ahead of proposed flavour descriptor ban (#5)
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** Varenicline may help young people quit vaping, study suggests (#6)
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** Parliamentary activity
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** Written questions (#7)
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** UK
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** NHS budget cuts threaten progress in reducing smoking during pregnancy

A recent article in The BMJ co-authored by members of the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group outlines how smoking during pregnancy in England has dropped to from 11.7% in 2014/15, to 5.9% in Q3 2024/25. The authors credit much of this decline to the introduction of stop smoking support alongside routine maternity care since 2020.

However, they warn that these services could be threatened by NHS budget cuts, potentially undoing the progress made in recent years. John Waldron, Policy and Public Affairs Manager with ASH called on the government to deliver on their manifesto commitment to integrate smoking cessation support into routine hospital care by protecting funding for tobacco treatment services.

Source: News-Medical.net, 12 May 2025

See also: BMJ Opinion piece: Reducing smoking in pregnancy in England—a public health success story ([link removed])
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** Opinion: Greater Manchester prioritises prevention to reshape health and care

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham outlines his vision for a fundamental shift in how health and care services are delivered across the region. He argues for moving away from a system that primarily reacts to illness, towards one that actively prevents it. Central to this approach is a focus on addressing the social and economic determinants of health—such as poverty, housing, and employment—that contribute to widening inequalities.

Burnham describes how Greater Manchester is leveraging its devolved powers to invest in early intervention, community-based services, and long-term wellbeing through its Live Well service. He emphasises the importance of integrated, place-based partnerships between local authorities, the NHS, and voluntary sector organisations.

Source: PoliticsHome, 10 May 2025
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** Ethnic disparities in asthma care highlight wider health inequalities

New research has uncovered stark disparities in asthma outcomes across ethnic groups in England, with minority patients facing significantly higher rates of hospitalisation and severe attacks. These differences are not linked to higher prevalence, but to longstanding inequalities in how asthma is recognised, assessed, and treated. Sarah Sleet, chief executive of Asthma + Lung UK, highlights that the healthcare system is failing to deliver equitable care, and stresses the need for urgent action to close the gap in outcomes experienced by ethnic minority communities. She also called for more action to support people to quit smoking.

Source: The Guardian, 12 May 2025

See also: Asthma + Lung UK Life with a Lung Condition Survey 2024 – NHSE Regional Results ([link removed])
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** Early adulthood obesity linked to significantly higher risk of premature death

A large international study has found that individuals living with obesity before the age of 30 face a substantially increased risk of dying early, regardless of other health conditions. The research tracked over 25,000 people and showed that early-onset obesity is associated with at least a 75% higher risk of premature mortality. The findings reinforce the need for earlier intervention and sustained public health strategies focused on prevention.

Source: The Guardian, 12 May 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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** New pouch flavours launched ahead of proposed flavour descriptor ban

Japan Tobacco International’s Nordic Spirit has introduced two new variants to its nicotine pouch lineup: 'Tropical Mix' and 'Raspberry'.

Source: Talking Retail, 12 May 2025

Editorial note: This report has been included to provide insight into market trends and industry developments. Nicotine pouch manufacturers appear to be investing heavily in marketing and promotion ahead of the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The Bill will introduce a minimum age of sale of 18 for pouches, ban advertising and give government powers to regulate flavours.
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** Varenicline may help young people quit vaping, study suggests

New research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that varenicline, a medication commonly used to help people stop smoking, could also support young people in quitting vaping. In a clinical trial involving 261 participants aged 16 to 25, those who received varenicline alongside counselling had significantly higher quit rates compared to those given a placebo or minimal support.

At 12 weeks, 51% of participants using varenicline had successfully quit vaping, compared to 14% of those given a placebo and 6% of those referred to text-based support. By six months, 28% of the varenicline group remained vape-free, compared to 7% in the placebo group and 4% in the text-support group.

Source: Cancer Health, 13 May 2025

See also: Kezios KL, Lu P, Calonico S, Zeki Al Hazzouri A. History of low hourly wage and all-cause mortality among middle-aged US workers. JAMA. Published online April 23, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.3810 ([link removed])
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** Parliamentary activity
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** Written questions

Asked by Michelle Welsh, Labour

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has considered the potential merits of using income from tax obtained by the sale of (a) tobacco, (b) alcohol and (c) gambling on prevention education.

Answered by James Murray,
Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Ealing North, Labour
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** The allocations of all revenues received by the Government are decided in the round alongside broader fiscal and economic objectives. Widespread hypothecation of tax revenues can undermine the Government’s ability to flexibly manage the public finances.
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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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