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** 21 May 2025
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** UK
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Gateshead report reveals major burden of smoking on local health services (#1)


** Opinion: Former health minister advocates for a definitive smoking ban by 2040 (#2)
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** Nicotine pouches: teen case studies in Scotland (#3)
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** NHS may commission weight loss and stop smoking services through pharmacies (#4)
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** Black market vapes rise as UK prepares for disposable vape ban (#5)
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** International
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** Tobacco firms fund development of treatments for illnesses linked to smoking (#6)
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** Global adolescent obesity set to reach half a billion by 2030, warns report (#7)
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** UK
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A Gateshead Council report has found smoking accounts for nearly 95,000 GP appointments and over 2,700 hospital admissions each year in the borough. The report highlights stark health inequalities, with significantly higher smoking rates among people in manual jobs and those with mental health conditions. Smoking rates among individuals with long-term mental health conditions in Gateshead were estimated to be as high as 41.7%. Caroline Cerny of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) emphasised the serious strain smoking places on health services. The council plans to expand support in primary care, pharmacies, and mental health settings to help more people quit.

Source: Hits Radio Newcastle, 21 May 2025
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James Bethell, a former conservative health minister and member of the House of Lords, argues that the UK should implement a clear and definitive smoking ban by 2040. He argues that gradual approaches have been ineffective and that a definitive ban would better protect public health and reduce pressure on the NHS. He highlights the disproportionate harm smoking causes in disadvantaged communities and criticises the tobacco industry for continuing to profit from addiction. Presenting the proposal as a conservative and patriotic step, he has submitted an amendment to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to formalise the timeline.

Source: ConservativeHome, 21 May 2025

See also: Tobacco and Vapes Bill—Running List 20 May ([link removed])
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A BBC Scotland article explores the experiences three teenagers using nicotine pouches, revealing varied reasons for use. Health experts warn that these pouches can be addictive and may have an impact on oral health. Currently largely unregulated in the UK, there is no law to prevent children from purchasing them. However, changes are expected with the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which includes provisions to address the regulation of these products.

Source: BBC News, 21 May 2025

See also: Brose L, Bunce L, Cheeseman H. ([link removed]) Prevalence of nicotine pouch use among youth and adults in Great Britain: analysis of cross-sectional, nationally representative surveys ([link removed]) . Nicotine Tob Res. Published online first: 10 Jan 2025. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntae295 ([link removed])
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Community pharmacies in the UK may soon be commissioned to offer national weight management services and smoking cessation or vaping programmes, as part of ongoing discussions between Community Pharmacy England (CPE) and NHS England (NHSE). Alastair Buxton, CPE's NHS services director, discusses the potential expansion of the Pharmacy First service. Buxton expressed hopes that the government would fund these services to improve access to healthcare, and notes that a nationally commissioned stop smoking service would align with health secretary Wes Streeting’s priorities.

Source: Chemist and Druggist, 19 May 2025
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Ahead of the UK's upcoming ban on disposable vapes scheduled for 1 June 2025, industry representatives suggest that without stronger enforcement and clearer regulations, the ban may inadvertently fuel illegal trade. The article reports that unregulated products often lack safety standards and can contain high levels of nicotine, posing potential health risks. A survey referenced in the article found that nearly two-thirds of people who use disposable vapes are willing to purchase illicit versions if they are easily accessible, and 30% of people surveyed said they would buy cigarettes instead.

Source: Daily Mail, 19 May 2025

Editorial note: The survey referenced in the article was commissioned by Evapo, an e-cigarette company.
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** International
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Leading tobacco companies are directing substantial investment into the development of medical treatments for diseases linked to smoking. The article reports on: Philip Morris International’s (PMI) involvement in producing asthma and COPD inhalers and is developing an inhalable treatment for heart attacks through its acquisition of Vectura; British American Tobacco backing vaccine research for respiratory illnesses and supporting mental health innovation through its stake in Danish firm PlatoScience; Japan Tobacco International operating a pharmaceutical division developing therapies for conditions including lung cancer, heart disease; and Altria’s links to developing advanced drug delivery systems for weight-loss treatments.

The increasing role of tobacco-funded research in public health continues to raise concerns over ethical implications and potential conflicts of interest. Professor Nicholas Hopkinson of Imperial College London and chairman of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) condemned the industry for profiting from tobacco-related harm and argues that they should not be allowed to rebrand themselves as healthcare stakeholders.

Source: Daily Mail, 21 May 2025

Editorial note: In May 2024, PMI sold Vectura to Phillips Medisize, a pharmaceutical firm owned by Molex Asia Holdings Ltd. The company attributed the decision to continued resistance from critics towards its shift into the healthcare sector.
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A report by the Lancet Commission on Adolescent Health and Wellbeing projects that by 2030, 464 million young people aged 10 to 24 will be living with obesity or overweight, an increase of 143 million since 2015. This surge is attributed to factors such as unhealthy food environments, inadequate physical activity, and insufficient mental health support. The report also highlights a significant decline in adolescent mental health and warns of dire consequences from climate change, predicting that 1.9 billion adolescents will be affected by global heating by 2100. Experts call for urgent political action and investment to address these issues and safeguard adolescent health.

Source: The Guardian, 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.

See also: Baird S, Choonara S, Azzopardi PSA, Banati P, Bessant J, Biermann O, et al. A call to action: the second Lancet Commission on adolescent health and wellbeing. Lancet. Published online 20 May, 2025 ([link removed](25)00503-3/abstract)
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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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