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UK ranks 11th in European lifestyle freedom index
The UK has been ranked 7th in the 2025 “Nanny State Index” in a report authored by Christopher Snowdon of the Institute of Economic Affairs. The index evaluated European countries based on regulations concerning food, alcohol, tobacco, and e-cigarettes. The UK's stringent policies, including plain packaging for tobacco, smoking bans in public spaces, high alcohol taxes, and restrictions on food marketing, have contributed to its position.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health said that the public wants action on health issues like smoking, obesity, and alcohol, and the government is now focusing on prevention. And with public backing for measures like junk food ad restrictions, the aim is to reduce health costs and create a smoke-free generation.
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson accused the government of dictating what people can eat and drink and making people less independent.
Source: Express.co.uk, 31 May 2023
See also: Institute of Economic Affairs and the European Policy Information Centre, Nanny State Index 2025
Editorial note: The Institute of Economic Affairs has previously received funding from tobacco manufacturers.
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JTI takes majority stake in UK vape manufacturer
Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has acquired a controlling interest in Flavour Warehouse, one of the UK’s largest manufacturers and distributors of e-liquids and vaping products, including of its own Vampire Vape brand. JTI’s move reflects ongoing consolidation in the vaping sector and extends its involvement in the nicotine alternatives market.
Source: The Grocer, 15 May 2025
Editorial note: This report has been included to provide insight into market trends and industry developments.
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GB News talks to UK retailers about disposable vape ban
GB news interviewed shop owners preceding the upcoming ban on disposable vapes from 1 June 2025. Some owners expressed concern about the potential financial impact and warned that the ban could push users back to smoking. Others supported the measure, noting the environmental harm caused by the products. Several businesses said they face uncertainty about how the changes will affect customer habits.
Source: GB News, 14 May 2025
See also:
ASH. Local retailers’ views of proposals for new tobacco laws. November 2022
ASH. Support for Stopping the Start: Local retailers and the public back smokefree generation laws. April 2024
Editorial note: ASH polling in 2022 found that most small retailers in England were supportive of proposals for new measures to regulate e-cigarettes. Overall, 69% supported the proposal to prohibit colours, cartoon characters, and names of sweets which might appeal to children on e-cigarette and vaping product packaging. Only 14% opposed this proposal. More recent polling in 2024 found that 51% of small retailers support raising the age of sale one year every year compared to 26% opposed.
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Written questions
Asked by Adam Thompson, Labour, Erewash
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department plans to make e-cigarettes available on prescription for smoking cessation.
Answered by Ashley Dalton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care, Labour, West Lancashire
The Government is committed to delivering on its ambition for a smoke-free United Kingdom, and is supporting smokers to quit through a range of services. This includes an additional £70 million investment in 2025/26 for local Stop Smoking Services in England. We are also working to ensure all National Health Service hospitals offer ‘opt-out' smoking cessation services.
Vapes, also known as e-cigarettes, can be an effective quit tool for adult smokers, particularly when combined with behavioural support. Currently, all vapes supplied to the UK are done so through the consumer market, as there is no medicinally licensed vaping product. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is ready to support a future medicinally licensed vaping product if the industry comes forward with a successful candidate. The MHRA continues to provide technical and scientific advice to companies interested in developing medicinal vapes.
Source: Hansard, 15 May 2025
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Asked by Amanda Martin, Labour, Portsmouth North
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to help tackle the sale of illegal vapes in Portsmouth.
Answered by Ashley Dalton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Health and Social Care, Labour, West Lancashire
The Government is investing £10 million of new funding into Trading Standards for 2025/26, to support the enforcement of illicit and underage tobacco and vape sales in England, and the implementation of the measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
The Trading Standards South East region, which includes Portsmouth, has been allocated funding for new apprentices to boost workforce capacity, alongside further funding for the storage and recycling of seized illicit vapes. The new funding will also support other activity, including additional work to identify and seize illicit vapes consignments at ports, and training for Trading Standards officers on the new single use vapes ban.
Source: Hansard, 15 May 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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