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Increase in smokers turning to local stop smoking services across Humber and North Yorkshire
New data from NHS England reveals that nearly a third more smokers in Humber and North Yorkshire have sought help from local Stop Smoking Services over the past year, marking the highest engagement since 2018/19. These services, which combine professional advice with stop smoking aids, have supported over 5,300 people to set a quit date in 2024/25, achieving a success rate of 60%, which is above the national average. The surge follows extra government funding and mirrors similar increases seen across the wider region and country. Local public health teams highlight the critical role of these services in cutting smoking-related illnesses and financial burdens, while backing national legislation aimed at further reducing tobacco use.
Source: Hull Is This local news, 24 July 2025
See also: NHS Digital. Statistics on Local Stop Smoking Services in England – April 2024 to March 2025 (Q4, Annual). July 2025.
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Free smoking cessation app launched for Devon residents
People in Devon can now access six months of complimentary premium support from The Smoke Free App, offering tailored help around the clock. The app features live chats with advisors, daily clinics, personalised plans and tools to track savings in time and money. The scheme aims to boost quit rates by pairing digital behavioural support with nicotine replacement or vaping. Residents can activate the offer by signing up with a valid Devon postcode. Additional face-to-face help remains available locally through Stop for Life Devon.
Source: Dartmouth Chronicle, 23 July 2025
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Convenience retailers push back against Tobacco and Vapes Bill
A national campaign urging the government to reconsider the Tobacco and Vapes Bill has surpassed 1,000 letters sent to the Business Secretary. Launched by retailer Paul Cheema, the initiative enables store owners to submit a pre-written letter to the government in just a few clicks. Cheema argues the legislation threatens the financial health of convenience stores.
Source: Grocery Trader, 24 July 2025
Editorial note: Paul Cheema, the organiser of the letter writing campaign, is the Chairman of the retailer platform C-Talk which has worked with Philip Morris.
Since the generational smoking ban was announced, tobacco manufacturers have argued that the legislation will harm small retailers and paid for advertising urging retailers to lobby against the legislation.
However, research independent of the tobacco industry commissioned by ASH finds that most retailers support the government proposals. More than half (51%) of 900 small tobacco retailers in England and Wales spoken to on the phone by independent researchers supported the government’s age of sale proposal, nearly double those opposed (26%).
See also: ASH - Support for Stopping the Start: Local retailers and the public back smokefree generation laws
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JTI claims that illicit tobacco is on the rise and calls for generational ban to be dropped
JTI have argued that the UK’s illicit tobacco trade has reached record highs, citing a JTI study that claims that nearly a third of cigarette consumption and over half of roll-your-own sales now come from illegal sources. Industry voices argue that repeated duty rises and proposed measures like the generational smoking ban risk deepening the problem.
Manufacturers are responding by expanding value ranges and offering larger pack formats to appeal to cost-conscious smokers. Imperial Brands has introduced Paramount, a cigarette brand with a low price point. The value cigarette now accounts for 30% of UK sales. Alongside this, demand is growing for rolling papers and filters with environmentally friendly credentials, and for accessories that offer convenience.
Cigarillos remain an area of growth, boosted by flavoured variants. The industry have capitalised on this, with STG UK launching Signature action Mix cigarillos that combine flavours of berry and mint. Tobacco manufacturers are pushing retailers keep shelves well organised and stock a balanced range across price points.
Source: Grocery Trader, 24 July 2025
Editorial note: Tobacco industry research into the illicit trade has been widely discredited for overestimating the size of the illicit market and serving as “a platform for the industry’s lobbying and public relations strategies.” The tobacco industry has a long history of presenting themselves as partners in tackling the illicit trade and seeking to collaborate with local and national government and enforcement agencies. Tobacco companies also fund private investigators to carry out illicit enforcement activity which is widely briefed to the media. The industry’s main motivation for this activity is to rehabilitate their public image and bolster their efforts to lobby against tax rises and regulation.
As explained by the University of Bath on their Tobacco Tactics page, JTI portrays itself as a victim of the illicit market, and uses this to argue against tobacco control measures. JTI has previously run campaigns and encouraged retailers to lobby against tobacco control measures. It has also funded studies into the illicit trade which consistently inflate the size of the illicit market.
Contrary to industry claims, the illicit market in the UK is not out of control and has declined significantly over the last two decades. According to HMRC, between 2000-01 and 2023-24, the number of illicit cigarettes consumed in the UK declined by almost 90% – amounting to 13 billion fewer illicit cigarettes consumed per year – alongside a 68% decline in illicit HRT.
Pricing strategies
Tobacco companies utilise pricing strategies which allow them to maintain or grow their profits while minimising the impact of tax rises on smoking behaviour. In the UK, tobacco companies typically respond to tobacco tax rises by increasing prices on premium brands so that the burden of the tax increase (and more) falls on consumers (overshifting), while absorbing some the cost of tax rises on ‘budget’ brands to keep these products cheaper (undershifting). This results in an increasing price gap between premium and budget products. For further information about how tobacco companies use pricing strategies to undermine tobacco taxation and maintain their profits see the Tobacco Tactics page on Tobacco Industry Pricing Strategies.
See also: https://theconversation.com/tobacco-industry-rallies-against-illicit-trade-but-have-we-forgotten-its-complicity-38760
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Survey reveals banned disposable vapes still widely available in UK shops
A recent investigation by nicotine pouch and vape-retailer Haypp using mystery shoppers across nine major UK cities found that nearly a quarter of vape retailers are continuing to sell disposable vapes. The checks covered vape shops, convenience stores and supermarkets.
Source: The Grocer, 24 July 2025
Editorial note: The investigation cited in the article was carried out by Haypp, an online nicotine pouch and vape retailer. The purpose of this investigation was likely to generate media coverage which would promote Haypp’s products/brand and support their lobbying activity.
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Southend-on-Sea City Council looks to curb takeaway outlets near schools amid rising childhood obesity
Southend-on-Sea City Council is exploring new planning rules to limit the number of fast food restaurants close to schools, after figures showed nearly a quarter of local children start school overweight or obese. The problem worsens by the end of primary school, with one in three affected. While the city already has more fast food outlets than the national average, officials recognise that delivery apps also enable pupils to bypass physical restrictions. As part of a broader obesity strategy, the council aims to improve diet and exercise opportunities and tackle unhealthy food marketing to young people. Local parents and nutrition experts have stressed the importance of parental responsibility in shaping children’s eating habits.
Source: BBC News, 25 July 2025
Editorial note: 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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Written Questions
Asked by Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, Green Party
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the cost to local authorities of cleaning up discarded cigarette filters since their estimate in 2021.
Answered on 24 July 2025 by Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Labour
This Government has not made a further assessment of the cost to local authorities of cleaning up discarded cigarette filters since the estimate from the 2021 report by WRAP. This estimated annual costs of £46 million to local authorities from cigarette butts (primarily discarded filters) and found that cigarette butts likely accounted for 7% of total litter costs to local authorities.
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Asked by Baroness Redfern, Conservative
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to require cigarette manufacturers to switch to producing biodegradable butts.
Answered on 24 July 2025 by Baroness Hayman of Ullock, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Labour
Whilst the plastic component of filters is of concern, the chemicals, toxins and heavy metals contained within a littered cigarette butt also pose a danger to the environment. For this reason, Defra does not support a move to plastic-free or biodegradable filters which would likely contain the same pollutants and have not been shown to break down quicker if littered in the environment.
Tobacco litter remains a concern for Defra, with cigarette filters consistently scoring as the most littered item in surveys. Local authorities already have powers to punish those who litter them including through prosecution. They can also create smoke free areas through the use of Public Space Protection Orders.
Defra believes the best way to tackle littering of filters is through reductions in smoking rates. We therefore continue to support all initiatives designed to encourage people to quit smoking or prevent them from starting smoking. Indeed, through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, the Government is committed to creating a smoke-free generation, gradually ending the sale of tobacco products across the country and breaking the cycle of addiction and disadvantage.
We will continue to monitor the available evidence on the prevalence of littered cigarette filters before considering further action.
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New stop smoking service returns show record increase in people quitting with local stop smoking services
The latest annual stop smoking service returns show that there has been a record increase in the number of people quitting local stop smoking services, with 128,000 quitting in 2024-25, compared with 104,000 in 2023-24 – a 23% increase.
Key points
• Around 238,000 people made a quit attempt with their local stop smoking service in 2024-25. This is an increase of 40,000 from 2023-24 (194,000).
• Of 335,000 people referred to stop smoking services, 71% made a quit attempt.
• 2024-25 saw the highest number of people setting a quit date and quitting smoking since 2017-18.
• Routine and manual occupations were the most represented socio-economic group, accounting for 21.7% of all quit attempts (52,000 people).
• Over half (50-60%) of those using stop smoking aids like nicotine replacement therapy, medications or vapes managed to quit, compared to 40% of those not using quit aids.
Source: Action on Smoking and Health, 24 July 2025
See also: NHS Digital. Statistics on Local Stop Smoking Services in England – April 2024 to March 2025 (Q4, Annual). July 2025.
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Public invited to help shape pharmacy services by the General Pharmaceutical Council
The General Pharmaceutical Council is seeking views from patients, carers and the wider public to improve pharmacy services across Great Britain. People can take part by joining an online panel for occasional surveys and feedback activities, or by applying to a forum that meets twice yearly to share lived experiences. Participants will be thanked with Love2Shop vouchers for their time and insights.
Source: General Pharmaceutical Council
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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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