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** 15 August 2025
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UK


** Health leaders warn cuts to NHS smoking cessation services threaten public health and maternity outcomes (#1)
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** Some confusion remains over disposable vapes ban among vapers (#2)
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International


** Australia’s restriction on the sale of vapes shows early signs of impact on youth vaping (#3)
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** UN health draft weakens measures on sugary drinks, tobacco and alcohol (#4)
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** Nicotine pouches see rapid growth but face looming regulatory scrutiny (#5)
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** US: Smartphone app with tailored prompts boosts quit rates for low-income smokers (#6)
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** Australian study shows vaping outperforms other nicotine replacement therapies in helping disadvantaged smokers quit (#7)
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Links of the week


** Report: At risk? Tobacco dependence treatment in the NHS – Findings from a survey of Integrated Care Boards in England (#8)
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** National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training: new resources on young people and stopping vaping and smoking (#9)
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** SCAH webinar series on stopping smoking (#10)
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** Financial Times Podcast: ‘Why Big Tobacco is buzzing over nicotine pouches’ (#11)
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UK


** Health leaders warn cuts to NHS smoking cessation services threaten public health and maternity outcomes

Medical leaders in England have raised concerns in an open letter to NHS England published in the BMJ that reductions in funding for NHS smoking cessation programmes could reverse recent progress in tobacco control. A recent survey from ASH and Cancer Research UK found that while most hospital, mental health, and maternity services have implemented tobacco dependence treatments, six acute hospital trusts and two mental health trusts in England have decommissioned these services. Uncertainty over future budgets, following significant cost-cutting measures imposed on integrated care boards, threatens continued delivery of support. Evidence suggests that these programmes have contributed to substantial declines in smoking during pregnancy and reductions in hospital readmissions and emergency presentations. Experts warn that without protected funding, gains in public health, cost savings, and reductions in health inequalities could be lost, potentially undermining national targets to reduce
smoking prevalence. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) chair Nick Hopkinson raised the question as to why these services would be cut when they save money in year, due to the fact that quitting smoking reduces risks of acute events such as heart attacks and strokes.

Source: BMJ, 14 August 2025

See also: Opinion: Protect NHS tobacco dependence treatment services from funding cuts—a call from health leaders to NHS England ([link removed])
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Read Here ([link removed])


** Some confusion remains over disposable vapes ban among vapers

A survey commissioned by The Grocer has found that 62% of people who use disposable vapes were aware of the disposable vapes ban, with 9% being unaware and 29% wrongly believing that shops can sell their old supply of stock. 59.1% said they have made the swap to using a refillable vape, with 7.8% buying disposable vapes from their usual channels, and 1% buying them another way. Caroline Cerny, Deputy CEO of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), explained that ASH is optimistic that the ban has led to shifts towards reusable products. She expressed concern about data showing that some people may be smoking more after the ban but highlighted that the drivers of smoking and vaping are complex and called for continued monitoring of smoking prevalence. The Independent British Vape Trade Association stated that some people may think they are using a single-use vape when they are in fact using a reusable one and that only a “small minority” need encouragement to recharge/reuse their vape.

The survey was carried out by Find Out Now and exclusively polled customers who have bought a disposable vape since the beginning of March.

Source: The Grocer, 14 August 2025

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Read Here ([link removed])
International


** Australia’s restriction on the sale of vapes shows early signs of impact on youth vaping

Writing for the BMJ, science journalist Bianca Nogrady reports that twelve months after Australia implemented strict laws limiting vape sales to pharmacies and banning disposable devices, adolescent use appears to be falling, with recent surveys showing more young people reporting never having vaped (85.4%). However, Nogrady argues that enforcement remains inconsistent, with illicit sales still common, particularly in major cities. While some states have stepped up inspections, resource challenges persist for enforcement teams. The rules have also raised concerns that limiting legal access could deter smokers from switching to less harmful products. Public health experts caution that, despite the focus on vaping, traditional smoking continues to cause significant harm, and further tobacco control measures are still needed.

Source: BMJ, 12 August 2025
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Read Here ([link removed])


** UN health draft weakens measures on sugary drinks, tobacco and alcohol

A forthcoming United Nations political declaration on preventing noncommunicable diseases has been diluted, removing or softening proposals such as sugary drink taxes, plain tobacco packaging, alcohol advertising bans and mandatory health warnings. Concerns about industry interference are particularly high after previous reports that British American Tobacco attempted to weaken health warnings on nicotine pouches in Kenya. Public health experts and advocacy groups warn the changes undermine evidence-based strategies to curb cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions. Key revisions include dropping explicit references to sugar taxes, replacing calls to eliminate tobacco marketing with weaker restrictions, loosening guidance on e-cigarette regulation, reframing obesity causes to downplay unhealthy food environments, and replacing front-of-pack warnings with less direct nutritional labels. Critics argue the weakened language risks leaving countries without the political
backing needed to implement robust health policies.

Source: The Examination, 14 August 2025

See also: Tobacco Tactics – British American Tobacco ([link removed])
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** Nicotine pouches see rapid growth but face looming regulatory scrutiny

Nicotine pouches are becoming a fast-growing revenue source for British American Tobacco (BAT), offsetting falling cigarette sales. The company reports strong uptake in markets such as Sweden, where they are replacing traditional nicotine use, while UK consumption remains relatively low but is expanding. BAT sees significant potential among existing nicotine users, although some analysts warn growth could come at the expense of other reduced-risk products like vapes. The category currently sits in a light regulatory environment in the UK before the introduction of the upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, containing the powers to regulate nicotine pouches. BAT claims that it is advocating for age limits, nicotine caps and restrictions on flavours and marketing to protect its market while deterring youth use.

Source: City A.M., 15 August 2025

Editorial note: This article has been included to provide insight into industry developments and lobbying.

See also: Tobacco Tactics – British American Tobacco ([link removed])
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Read Here ([link removed])


** US: Smartphone app with tailored prompts boosts quit rates for low-income smokers

A University of Oklahoma clinical trial has found that a smoking cessation app delivering real-time, personalised messages almost doubled quit rates compared with a standard tracking app. The Smart-T app assessed users’ daily risk of smoking based on factors such as stress, mood and exposure to other smokers, then provided targeted advice. Involving 454 low-income participants across the US, the study offered both groups nicotine replacement products and verified quit status with biochemical testing via connected devices. Users of Smart-T engaged more with the app, rated it as more useful, and were more likely to request extra nicotine therapy. Researchers plan larger, longer-term trials to assess its wider potential as a low-cost, accessible cessation tool.

Source: Medical Xpress, 15 August 2025
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Read Here ([link removed])


** Australian study shows vaping outperforms other nicotine replacement therapies in helping disadvantaged smokers quit

An Australian randomised controlled trial has found that nicotine vaping products are significantly more effective than traditional nicotine replacement therapies for helping people on low incomes stop smoking. The study involved 1,045 daily smokers receiving government benefits, who were given either e-cigarettes with nicotine e-liquid or nicotine gum or lozenges, alongside brief behavioural support. After six months, quit rates were almost three times higher in the vaping group compared with those using nicotine replacement. The findings indicate that vaping could play an important role in reducing smoking rates among disadvantaged communities and potentially the wider population.

Source: Respiratory Therapy, 26 July 2025

See also: Vaporized Nicotine Products for Smoking Cessation Among People Experiencing Social Disadvantage: A Randomized Clinical Trial ([link removed])
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Read Here ([link removed])
Links of the week


** Report: At risk? Tobacco dependence treatment in the NHS – Findings from a survey of Integrated Care Boards in England

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** This report from ASH and Cancer Research UK outlines the findings from a survey of Integrated Care Board (ICB) tobacco dependence treatment activity. The report highlights both encouraging progress and serious challenges following the announcement of cuts to ICB running costs in March.

Key findings:
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**
• Most NHS trusts reported full implementation of tobacco dependence treatment services:
• 80% in secondary care
• 71% in mental health
• 91% in maternity care
• However, across three ICBs (9%), services have been decommissioned in 6 acute and 2 mental health trusts.
• In 50% of ICBs, services had expanded beyond the 2019 Long Term Plan commitments to areas including A&E, outpatients, pre-op and paediatrics.
• Community provision (mainly via mental health trusts) existed in 21% of ICBs.
• Financial insecurity or other funding issues was reported as a barrier in 83% of ICBs.

Source: ASH, 14 August 2025
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** See also: ASH Press Release - Hospital Stop Smoking Service cuts ‘abandoning’ vulnerable patients to a deadly addiction, health leaders warn ([link removed])
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Read Here ([link removed])


** National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training: new resources on young people and stopping vaping and smoking

The NCSCT has published new briefings and accompanying resources for professionals working to support young people to stop vaping or smoking. The resources are available on the NCSCT website:

Young people and stopping vaping ([link removed])

Young people and stopping smoking ([link removed])

Source: NCSCT
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Read Here ([link removed])


** SCAH webinar series on stopping smoking

Smoking Cessation and Health (SCAH) are hosting a free six-part webinar series titled Conversations to Cessation (C2C). This series is designed to deepen professionals’ knowledge of smoking cessation through nicotine-free alternative therapies. The series is aimed at UK professionals with an interest in smoking cessation. The webinars are organised and funded by Viatris, a pharmaceutical company that manufactures varenicline.

Nicotine-based stop smoking aids like NRT and nicotine vapes are also effective for supporting people to quit smoking and are recommended as first line stop smoking aids by NICE ([link removed]) .

The first webinar is on Tuesday 16th September. Register and see the agenda here ([link removed]) .
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Read Here ([link removed])


** Financial Times Podcast: ‘Why Big Tobacco is buzzing over nicotine pouches’

In this podcast episode, Financial Times journalists Saffeya Ahmed, Clara Murray and Mari Novik discuss nicotine pouches. The episode explores the rising popularity of nicotine pouches, and why they are the new focus of Big Tobacco companies.
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For more information email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or visit www.ash.org.uk
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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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