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** 20 May 2025
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** UK
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New smokefree NHS trust policy (#1)


** Raid at Kensington café reveals suspected illegal shisha stash (#2)
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** Blair Institute calls for postal delivery of weight-loss jabs to millions (#3)
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** International
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** Leaders across the Americas awarded for global tobacco control efforts (#4)
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** Iran launches National No-Tobacco Week to tackle tobacco industry tactics (#5)
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** Parliamentary Activity
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** Written questions (#6)
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** UK
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** New smokefree NHS trust policy

East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust has introduced updated rules aimed at reducing staff exposure to second-hand smoke. Under the new guidance, patients receiving home visits may be asked not to smoke in the room they will be visited in for an hour prior to a scheduled appointment. If this is not possible, alternative arrangements may be made. The Trust also reinforces restrictions on staff smoking while in uniform or acting in an official capacity. Smoking is now banned across the grounds of four hospitals, though vaping is still allowed in designated zones to support smoking cessation. These changes are part of the Trust’s wider effort to promote health and protect staff wellbeing.

Source: The Comet, 19 May 2025
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** Raid at Kensington café reveals suspected illegal shisha stash

Authorities have seized dozens of tubs of suspected illegal shisha tobacco during a raid at Café Diana in Kensington, a venue once visited by Princess Diana and her sons. Trading standards officers, supported by police and the Home Office, discovered around 45 unlabelled tubs in the café’s basement. The products are believed to be counterfeit or untaxed. A full investigation is now underway, with the business potentially facing legal action for breaching tobacco and health regulations. The operation forms part of a wider effort to crack down on illicit tobacco sales across the borough.

Source: Metro, 19 May 2025
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** Blair Institute calls for postal delivery of weight-loss jabs to millions

The Tony Blair Institute has proposed a major expansion of weight-loss injection access, suggesting the medication should be offered to up to 26 million UK adults through postal delivery following online assessments. The think tank argues the current NHS approach is too limited and overly reliant on in-person appointments. Their model focuses on boosting economic productivity and reducing obesity-related healthcare costs. While the institute highlights the potential fiscal gains, Katharine Jenner from the Obesity Health Alliance emphasised that medication alone is not a solution, stressing the need to address the broader causes of poor health from early life.

Source: The Telegraph, 20 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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** International
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** Leaders across the Americas awarded for global tobacco control efforts

A wide range of individuals, organisations, and government agencies from the Americas have been recognised by the World Health Organization for their work in reducing tobacco use and promoting public health. Honourees included policy advocates, youth activists, journalists, and regulatory bodies from countries such as Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and the United States.

Award recipients were commended for achievements including pioneering legislation, environmental advocacy, exposing industry interference, and championing fiscal policies aligned with international tobacco control standards. Notable efforts included Brazil's work to reduce the appeal of tobacco products, Ecuador’s successful legal defence of tobacco taxation, and impactful investigative journalism across Latin America. Youth-led advocacy also featured prominently, with recognition for global grassroots efforts to restrict tobacco marketing to young people.

These awards were presented as part of World No Tobacco Day 2025, with this year’s campaign focused on revealing how the tobacco industry manipulates the appeal of its products.

Source: Medical and Life Sciences News, 19 May 2025
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** Iran launches National No-Tobacco Week to tackle tobacco industry tactics

Iran will observe National No-Tobacco Week from May 24, focusing on exposing tobacco industry tricks and promoting a tobacco-free future. The campaign includes daily themes such as media awareness, family education, sport, and law enforcement.

A new prevention programme will start in schools, training students as ambassadors to spread anti-tobacco messages in communities. Supported by various ministries, the initiative aligns with World No Tobacco Day on May 31, emphasising the need to reduce the appeal of tobacco products through stronger regulations.

Source: Tehran Times, 19 May 2025
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** Parliamentary Activity
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Written questions

Asked by Richard Holden, Conservative, Basildon and Billericay

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the lower price point of very high puff-count vapes on youth vaping.

Answered by Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Labour, West Lancashire

The Department has not made a direct assessment of the potential impact of the lower price point of high puff-count vapes on youth vaping. However, it is incredibly worrying that 25% of 11 to 15 year old had tried vaping, as of 2023. To address this, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the advertising of vaping and nicotine products, as well as sponsorship agreements which promote them. It also provides powers to limit flavours, packaging, and displays, and provides powers that allow the Government to regulate the tank sizes and refill containers, and the amount of liquid that can be included. The Government intends to consult on these issues soon after Royal Assent.

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs is introducing a ban on single-use vapes, which is defined as a vape that is neither refillable nor rechargeable, and if it has a coil, the coil must be replaceable. This will capture most “big puff” vapes currently on the market.

Alongside this, and to discourage non-smokers and young people from taking up vaping, the Government will be introducing the Vaping Products Duty, which will come into force from 1 October 2026. The duty will be set at a single flat rate of £2.20 per 10 millilitre on all vaping liquid.

Source: UK Parliament, 13 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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