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** 23 May 2025
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** UK
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** Sandwell intensifies efforts to reduce highest smoking rate in Midlands (#1)
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** Vape shops numbers increase as English high streets undergo transformation (#2)
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** Alcohol brands criticised for irresponsible social media ads (#3)
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** Parliamentary Activity
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** Written Questions (#4)
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** Links of the Week
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** Podcast: Prevention is the new cure ep. 55 (#5)
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** Podcast: Prevention is the new cure ep. 56 (#6)
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** Recruitment: UCL focus groups (#7)
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** UK
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** Sandwell intensifies efforts to reduce highest smoking rate in Midlands

Recent figures show Sandwell has the highest smoking rate in the Midlands at 17.4%, prompting renewed efforts from local health authorities. In response, Sandwell Council and its health partners, including the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, have expanded smoking cessation initiatives. These include targeted support for those coming through the Lung Cancer Screening programme, inpatients at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital and referrals to local cessation services upon discharge. Around 40% of inpatients are now attempting to quit. Additionally, a new community-based service, Stop For Life Sandwell, offers free 12-week coaching and digital support to local residents. While smoking rates have declined, officials stress more needs to be done to bring figures down further.

Source: Express & Star, 23 May 2025

See also: ONS - Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2023 ([link removed])
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** Vape shops numbers increase as English high streets undergo transformation

A recent study has revealed a significant rise in the number of vape shops across England over the past decade, with the most deprived areas seeing the highest concentrations. Analysis by Health Equity North found that almost every local authority now hosts at least one vape shop, a stark increase from ten years ago. Alongside this, amenities such as banks, supermarkets, and pharmacies, have declined, particularly in the north of England.

The research highlights a widening gap in access to supportive community infrastructure, with deprived regions facing a proliferation of outlets like takeaways, bookmakers and pawnbrokers.

Source: The Guardian, 23 May 2025.

See also: Health Equity North – Ghost Towns: The Decline of the High Street and Health Inequalities ([link removed])
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** Alcohol brands criticised for irresponsible social media ads

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has reprimanded three alcohol brands for breaching advertising guidelines on social media. FourLoko was criticised for promoting excessive drinking through an Instagram post, while Global Brands Ltd's VK ad during Dry January was deemed socially irresponsible for undermining the campaign’s message. Both brands were instructed to adhere to responsible advertising in future posts.

Source: The Drinks Business, 22 May 2025

See also: ASA - Rulings ([link removed])

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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** Parliamentary Activity
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** Written Questions

Asked by Bob Blackman, Harrow East, Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the allocated budget is for the smokefree pregnancy incentive scheme for the year 2025-26.

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

The National Smoke-free Pregnancy Incentives Scheme has a budget of £5.8 million for the financial year 2025/26, with future settlements being considered as part of the Spending Review process.
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** Asked by Lee Anderson, Ashfield, Reform UK

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many seizures of (a) cigarettes, (b) hand rolling tobacco and (c) other tobacco products have been made by Border Force at (i) seaports, (ii) airports and (iii) postal services, in each of the last five years.

Answered by Seema Malhotra, Migration and Citizenship Minister Equalities Minister, Feltham and Heston, Labour

The below statistics from Border Force’s transparency data outline the number of cigarettes and weight of tobacco seized in each of the last five years, but are not broken down by the location where they were seized.

2020 – 509,032,596 Cigarette sticks, 110,774.2kg Tobacco

2021 – 961,939,889 Cigarette sticks, 136,835.9kg Tobacco

2022 – 827,211,419 Cigarette sticks, 93,717.57kg Tobacco

2023 – 823,818,908 Cigarette sticks, 67,730.03kg Tobacco

2024 – 934,104,940 Cigarette sticks, 72,143.33kg Tobacco
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** Links of the Week
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** Podcast: Prevention is the new cure ep. 55

This podcast, hosted by Steve Brine, former MP and Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee interviews Sarah Woolnough, CEO of The King’s Fund. In this episode, Brine and Woolnough discuss the challenges facing health and social care, the abolition of NHS England, and the Government’s upcoming 10-Year Plan.
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** Podcast: Prevention is the new cure ep. 56

This podcast episode, hosted by Steve Brine, former MP and Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee and Dr Sarah Wollaston, a former Liberal Democrat MP and a general practitioner interview Professor Steve Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England. Powis discusses what he thinks of the abolition of NHS England, the likelihood of the NHS shifting to prevention, obesity, and the new Cancer 360 programme.
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** Recruitment: UCL focus groups

University College London are recruiting people who work for stop smoking services and provide tobacco cessation/ advice to take part in focus groups discussing their understanding and experiences of non-cigarette tobacco (e.g. cigars, waterpipe, chewing tobacco), as well as their thoughts on improving quit support given to people who smoke non-cigarette tobacco.

The focus groups will consist of 4-6 health care professionals and will last for 60-90 minutes. Participants who take part will receive a £30 shopping voucher.

You can take part by following the link, here ([link removed]) . Should you have any questions, please contact Eve Taylor at UCL [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

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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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