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** 27 June 2025
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** UK
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** Millions in England face health crisis from smoking, alcohol, and excess weight (#1)
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** Concerns over UK smoking ban's compatibility with post-Brexit agreements (#2)
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** Public favours stricter rules on alcohol advertising (#3)
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** Premature cancer deaths cost UK billions in lost productivity (#4)
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** New leadership structure takes shape as DHSC prepares to absorb NHS England (#5)
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** International
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** Rise in nicotine use in Czech Republic driven by youth and alternatives (#6)
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** Links of the Week
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** Opinion: Retail displays for tobacco and vapes challenge UK advertising laws (#7)
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** ASH Blog: Why Alcohol Reduction is Essential for a Smoke-Free Future (#8)
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** ASH Briefing: The three big killers: how smoking, alcohol consumption and overweight/obesity overlap and interact in the population (#9)
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** UK
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** Millions in England face health crisis from smoking, alcohol, and excess weight

New research from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) highlights that around one million adults in England are simultaneously smoking, drinking above recommended alcohol limits, and living with excess weight—placing them at significant risk of early death and long-term illness. Caroline Cerny of ASH described the findings as deeply concerning and urged action to ease future NHS strain.

The data also shows that over 10 million people engage in two of these risk behaviours, contributing to growing health challenges, especially with a projected rise in chronic conditions by 2040.

Health advocates are calling on the government to take stronger preventive measures in its upcoming NHS strategy, including tougher regulation of unhealthy products and improved public health funding.

Source: The Guardian, 27 June 2025

See also: ASH- Blog Why alcohol reduction is essential for a smokefree future ([link removed]) | Briefing T ([link removed]) he three big killers - June 2025 ([link removed])
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** Concerns over UK smoking ban's compatibility with post-Brexit agreements

Sir Robert Buckland, the former Conservative Justice Secretary has raised alarms that the UK government's proposed generational smoking ban may violate international obligations under the Windsor Framework. Buckland claims that the legislation, which would prohibit cigarette sales to anyone born after 2008, could clash with EU laws that still apply in Northern Ireland due to post-Brexit arrangements. He warns that enforcing the law in Northern Ireland may breach treaty commitments; while excluding the region could undermine the UK’s internal market. The government maintains the legislation respects existing obligations.

Source: The Independent, 27 June 2025

Editorial note: A recent report published by the European Respiratory Society confirms that a smokefree generation law would be legal for an EU member state to introduce. For more information see the European Respiratory Society report. ([link removed])
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** The Northern Irish Assembly approved the Legislative Consent Motion for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in February, meaning that the Bill will also apply in Northern Ireland once it is passed into law.
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**
Public favours stricter rules on alcohol advertising

New polling data indicates strong public backing in the UK for tougher alcohol advertising restrictions. A clear majority support a ban on TV alcohol advertisements before 9 pm, and more than half favour a complete ban on online alcohol advertising. The findings come amid broader discussions about public health and marketing regulation.

Source: The Grocer, 27 June 2025
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** Premature cancer deaths cost UK billions in lost productivity

Premature cancer deaths cost the UK economy over £10 billion annually due to lost productivity, according to new analysis by Cancer Research UK. The impact surpasses that of any other health condition, with lung, bowel, and breast cancers causing the greatest losses. Younger deaths drive the highest economic impact, particularly among men. Experts warn of a rising trend in cancer-related deaths and call for long-term health policies to address growing illness in the working-age population.

Source: The Guardian, 27 June 2025

See also: Cancer Research UK’s Study on the cost of the lives lost to cancer in the UK ([link removed])
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** New leadership structure takes shape as DHSC prepares to absorb NHS England

The Department of Health and Social Care has begun implementing a new executive structure to integrate NHS England ahead of its planned dissolution by 2027. Thirteen director generals, along with programme and regional leads, will take on top-level responsibilities, many reporting jointly to senior DHSC and NHS leaders. While senior appointments should be largely completed by autumn, broader organisational restructuring will not begin until later in the year, delaying expected workforce reductions. Legislative approval will be required for full staff transfers.

Source: Health Service Journal, 26 June 2025
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**
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** International
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** Rise in nicotine use in Czech Republic driven by youth and alternatives

Nicotine and tobacco consumption has increased in the Czech Republic, with daily use rising from 23% to 27% in the past year. While traditional cigarette smoking continues to decline, alternative products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco, and nicotine pouches are growing in popularity, especially among people aged 15 to 24. Although daily cigarette smoking is now most common in older adults, the younger population is increasingly turning to alternatives, with nearly one-fifth of those aged 20 to 24 using e-cigarettes. Despite legal restrictions, many underage individuals report easy access to tobacco. Health impacts remain severe, with tens of thousands of deaths annually linked to smoking and significant economic losses for the state.

Source: BRNO Daily, 27 June 2025
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** Links of the Week
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** Opinion: Retail displays for tobacco and vapes challenge UK advertising laws

Karen Evans-Reeves, an Honorary Research Fellow with the Tobacco Control Research Group, writing a blog for the journal Tobacco Control, argues that despite the ban on single-use vapes and upcoming legislation to curb nicotine product promotion, tobacco companies have intensified their in-store advertising. Evans-Reeves explains that colourful displays and LED screens promoting heated tobacco products have appeared in major supermarkets, pushing the limits of legal definitions. Evans-Reeves believes that these marketing practices appear to sidestep existing legislation, exploiting loopholes and ambiguities around product definitions.

Evans-Reeves emphasises that heated tobacco products such as IQOS continue to be advertised in some major supermarkets, despite long-standing regulations prohibiting tobacco promotion. She points out that the government has challenged these activities and stated that they consider them to be a breach of the law, but tobacco companies argue the current laws don’t apply to heated tobacco products. Hazel Cheeseman of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) highlights industry misuse of legal grey areas to target young people. She praises some supermarkets for refusing to display such ads, though others continue showcasing them despite government objections. The upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to close these gaps with clearer definitions and broader restrictions.

Evans-Reeves concludes by calling attention to rechargeable vape products that are being marketed in ways that may undermine environmental goals. She argues that new designs often still involve disposable components, and consumers are incentivised to treat them like throwaway items. Campaigners urge urgent action, including stronger enforcement and penalties, to prevent continued regulatory evasion.

Source: Tobacco Control, 22 June 2025
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Read Here ([link removed])


** ASH Blog: Why Alcohol Reduction is Essential for a Smoke-Free Future

Efforts to eliminate smoking in the UK may falter unless alcohol harm is addressed alongside it, according to Caroline Cerny, the Deputy Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). Evidence shows a strong link between tobacco use and risky drinking, with people experiencing alcohol dependence significantly more likely to smoke.

Caroline Cerny explains that this connection stems from how nicotine and alcohol interact to increase cravings, encourage relapse, and prolong substance use. When combined, the two behaviours drastically heighten health risks, particularly for certain cancers.

ASH is urging policymakers to apply the same bold, comprehensive strategies that have reduced smoking to alcohol harm—arguing this is a vital step toward a healthier, smoke-free future.

Source: ASH, 27 June 2025
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Read Here ([link removed])


** ASH Briefing: The three big killers: how smoking, alcohol consumption and overweight/obesity overlap and interact in the population

ASH, the Obesity Health Alliance and the Alcohol Health Alliance have published a new briefing revealing that smoking, excessive alcohol use, and being overweight remain the leading preventable causes of poor health and early death in the UK. Over a fifth of adults in England face two or more of these risks, with the burden falling more heavily on those in deprived communities.

The briefing finds that the impact of these risk factors multiplies when combined—such as with cancer and liver disease—highlighting the need for coordinated public health strategies. The authors are calling for a more integrated policy approach to reduce harm from these products.
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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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