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** 16 May 2025
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** International
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Trump administration budget cuts hamper U.S. antismoking efforts (#1)


** Northern Ireland survey highlights increase in vaping among older teens (#2)
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** Lawsuit targets food giants over processed food addiction claims (#3)
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** Links of the week
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** Commercial influences on mental health need stronger regulation (#4)
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** International
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Major funding cuts under the Trump administration have dismantled key tobacco control efforts across the U.S., including the closure of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, which previously distributed nearly $100 million annually to state-level initiatives. State health departments are having to lay off tobacco control staff members, hindering their ability to offer cessation services. The office also previously funded national anti-smoking campaigns and youth programmes.

The article reports that the FDA have fired staff responsible for enforcing rules on underage tobacco sales, several scientists with expertise in addiction and toxicology, and the team responsible for drafting proposals to ban menthol cigarettes. NIH grants for research into youth and minority tobacco use have been cancelled.

Experts are concerned that these reductions will undo years of progress in lowering smoking rates, which could lead to increased health risks and future healthcare costs.
The article also notes that in the year leading up to the cuts, tobacco and e-cigarette companies made large donations to President Trump and congressional Republicans.

Source: NY Times, 15 May 2025
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A new survey of 7,500 students in Northern Ireland by the Public Health Agency has found that 46% of 17- and 18-year-old pupils currently use e-cigarettes. Usage was lower in younger pupils, with 4% of Year 8 pupils reporting use. Overall, 15% of all young people surveyed reported using e-cigarettes, and 76% had never smoked before trying e-cigarettes. Two-thirds said they had tried to quit, with around half reporting managing to stop for a period.

Five percent reported being current smokers, with those living in the most deprived areas being more likely to have ever tried a cigarette.

Tobacco control officials emphasised the importance of providing information to families and those working with young people, encouraging open conversations to help prevent the uptake of vaping before it begins.

Source: Belfast Telegraph, 15 May 2025

Editorial note: Data from the ASH Smokefree GB Youth Survey ([link removed]) indicates that vaping rates among 11 to 17-year-olds in Great Britain are notably lower, with 7.2% reporting current use in 2024.
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A landmark US lawsuit accuses major food companies including Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola, and General Mills of deliberately making ultra-processed products addictive, particularly to children. The case alleges these firms used marketing tactics and neuroscience similar to those once employed by the tobacco industry. It claims the plaintiff developed serious health issues from consuming such products, and could lead to broader mass tort litigation. While advocates push for accountability, legal and health experts question whether the science around food addiction is strong enough to support the claims.

Source: Bloomberg Law, 15 May 2025
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** Links of the week
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In a blog for Population Health Improvement (PHI) UK, Caroline Cerny from ASH highlights how industries profiting from tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food contribute to poor mental health, especially in disadvantaged communities. The blog calls for government action to limit the influence of harmful commercial practices and support better mental wellbeing through stronger public health policies.

See also: A new briefing from ASH, AHA, OHA and the Centre for Mental Health ([link removed]) discussed the commercial determinants of mental health in more detail
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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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