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** 6 August 2025
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UK


** Salford sees significant drop in smoking during pregnancy but aims to improve further (#1)
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** Increase in disposable vape litter adds to growing plastic pollution on UK beaches (#2)
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** Some retailers unaware of disposable vape sales ban in Derbyshire (#3)
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** Concerns raised over plans to dissolve local Healthwatch organisations (#4)
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UK


** Salford sees significant drop in smoking during pregnancy but aims to improve further

The rate of smoking among pregnant women in Salford has fallen sharply over the last decade, decreasing from 15.1% in 2013/14 to 6.7% in 2023/24. This improvement means nearly 300 more babies were born free from smoke exposure. Salford now ranks third lowest among Greater Manchester local authorities, with the regional average at 7.7%. The article highlights the serious health risks linked to smoking during pregnancy, such as low birth weight, miscarriage, stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome, and childhood respiratory problems.

To tackle these issues, Salford is implementing community-wide initiatives including smoke-free parks and sports areas and targeted public messaging. Additionally, the Greater Manchester Smokefree Pregnancy programme offers free advice, nicotine replacement therapy, monitoring, and incentives. These efforts are helping improve family health outcomes and reduce pressure on the NHS.

Source: Salford City Council, 6 August 2025

See also: ASH - Government achieves smoking in pregnancy reduction target – but progress threatened by NHS cuts ([link removed])
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** Increase in disposable vape litter adds to growing plastic pollution on UK beaches

Volunteers cleaning Britain’s beaches have noted a significant rise in discarded vapes, contributing to the overall increase in plastic pollution along the coastline. The Marine Conservation Society’s latest survey found that vape waste is among the fastest growing types of litter, alongside fishing equipment and single-use plastics like wet wipes.

While policies such as the carrier bag charge have successfully reduced some forms of plastic pollution, the charity is urging stronger regulations and improved waste management to address this emerging issue ahead of international talks on plastics policy.

Source: The Guardian, 6 August 2025
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** Some retailers unaware of disposable vape sales ban in Derbyshire

Trading Standards officers in Derbyshire have confiscated nearly 2,500 disposable vapes since a nationwide ban came into effect on 1 June, covering both nicotine and non-nicotine products. Officers have encountered retailers who claim to be unaware of the new regulations, while others appear to be deliberately selling leftover stock or sourcing disposables from other regions despite the ban. Enforcement has also uncovered vapes exceeding legal limits on tank size and nicotine strength.

Officials have indicated that enforcement has been initially lenient to allow retailers time to comply with the new regulations, but they warn that repeated breaches of the ban will result in stronger enforcement actions and potential penalties.

Source: BBC News, 6 August 2025
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** Concerns raised over plans to dissolve local Healthwatch organisations

Plans to abolish all local Healthwatch bodies and transfer their patient feedback roles into NHS integrated care boards have sparked concerns about losing independent patient advocacy. Healthwatch currently acts as an external watchdog, representing patients’ experiences and needs to NHS providers.

Critics argue that bringing these functions in-house would compromise impartiality, effectively allowing NHS bodies to self-monitor. Patients and Healthwatch leaders have voiced fears that the change would weaken the patient voice and reduce accountability within health services.

The Department for Health and Social Care maintains that the reforms will clarify responsibilities and strengthen patient involvement using modern technology. The timeline for these changes remains uncertain, pending further government legislation.

Source: BBC News, 6 August 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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