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Call for urgent action as smoking causes thousands of deaths each year
New findings show that smoking continues to cause more than 10,000 deaths each year in the UK from heart and circulatory disease, making it the country’s leading preventable killer. The British Heart Foundation are pressing the government to accelerate the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which would phase out tobacco sales for younger generations, restrict vape flavours, and widen smoke-free zones.
The British Heart Foundation has called for swift action, with its Chief Executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths warning that it is “shocking that smoking still takes so many lives” and stressing the Bill is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to save future generations from early death.
Source: Daily Mail, 16th September 2025
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Louise Ross from the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training shares advice on managing a smoking relapse during Stoptober
Louise Ross, clinical consultant at the National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training, interviewed by The Independent, has shared advice on how to manage a smoking relapse during Stoptober, and identifies potential triggers for a relapse.
Ross’ advice includes focusing on recovery rather than guilt, by quickly recommitting to quitting, reflecting on what caused the slip, and practising ways to refuse offers of cigarettes. Distraction techniques, support from friends or professionals, and tools such as nicotine replacement, vaping or medication can help prevent further setbacks. Digital apps and local stop-smoking services also provide motivation and expert guidance to sustain progress.
Source: The Independent, 16th September 2025
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Kent and Medway health chief to step down as ICB exits grow
The Chief Executive of Kent and Medway’s Integrated Care Board will step down later this year, citing the long-term commitment now expected of chief executives. His departure adds to a growing number of exits from ICBs that are not joining clusters or merging, making him the seventh to leave in recent months.
The resignations come as ICBs face significant change, with their responsibilities shifting towards commissioning roles, alongside deep cost-cutting measures. Several boards are already moving to joint leadership models, while others remain independent but continue to experience leadership instability.
Recruitment challenges persist, with many senior positions left unfilled as the system undergoes reorganisation.
Source: Health Service Journal, 16 September 2025
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New Zealand: Associate Health Minister criticised over mishandling of pro-tobacco document
An inquiry has found that Associate Health Minister Casey Costello did not follow proper record-keeping procedures after passing a tobacco industry-aligned paper to officials, despite being unable to identify its author. The document, which promoted tax cuts for heated tobacco products, was used to inform policy.
The Chief Archivist concluded that the minister’s office failed to meet legal obligations under the Public Records Act and advised improvements in handling ministerial information. Costello said the material reflected her party’s previous policy positions and denied supporting the tobacco industry.
Despite uncertainty over the document’s origin, the minister went on to halve excise duties on heated tobacco products, a move projected to cost the government hundreds of millions of dollars and primarily benefit Philip Morris International. Health officials had warned there was limited evidence these products reduced harm compared with cigarettes.
Source: RNZ, 17th September 2025
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Experts reject claim that lowering tobacco taxes could reduce smoking
With smoking rates in Australia at 8.3% and a target of 5% by 2030, some argue that cutting tobacco taxes might reduce illicit trade and support quitting. Five leading experts have unanimously dismissed this idea, stressing that making cigarettes cheaper would only encourage more consumption.
Public health specialists, including Professors of Public Health and a Professor of Health Behaviour, pointed to decades of evidence showing that higher prices deter young people from starting and help adults to quit. Past international examples, such as tax cuts in parts of Canada, showed increased smoking among both youth and adults when tobacco became more affordable.
Economists emphasised that while lower excise might shift some smokers from illegal to legal products, it would not cut overall smoking rates and would undermine years of health policy progress. Legal scholars highlighted the need for stronger enforcement and tougher penalties to combat illicit trade, rather than competing with organised crime on price.
The experts agreed that the focus should be on reducing tobacco availability, raising the effective minimum price, and strengthening alternative nicotine options, rather than lowering taxes that would ultimately fuel higher smoking rates.
Source: The Conversation, 16th September 2025
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Mexico unveils major tax increases on tobacco and unhealthy products
The Mexican government has outlined plans for a broad public health tax reform that would significantly raise duties on tobacco, processed foods, fast food and other products deemed harmful. Tobacco excise would rise by 200% by 2030, with additional levies based on nicotine content applied to e-cigarettes and pouches, as well as higher charges on cigars.
Source: Tobacco Reporter, 11th September 2025
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US study links nicotine pouch use to quitting smoking and vaping
New US research published in JAMA Network Open has found that people who have recently given up cigarettes or e-cigarettes are more likely to use nicotine pouches, suggesting these products may play a role in harm reduction. Analysis of data from over 110,000 adults in the US showed pouch use was uncommon overall but concentrated among smokers, vapers and users of smokeless tobacco. Former smokers were nearly four times as likely to use them compared with the general population, while smokeless tobacco users were more than ten times as likely.
Although nicotine pouches are not authorised as cessation products, the findings indicate they may appeal to those seeking alternatives to smoking. The researchers caution that nicotine remains addictive and carries risks, though it is less harmful than tobacco smoke. The results come as the US Food and Drug Administration prepares to expand its review of pouch products.
Source: HealthDay, 15th September 2025
See also: Original Study: Delnevo C, Tomaino M, Hrywna M Patterns of Nicotine Pouch Use Among Adults in the US, 2022-2023. JAMA Network Open. September 2025 8(9).
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Jersey budget introduces vape duty to curb youth use
Jersey’s 2026 Budget includes a new levy of £2 per 10ml on e-liquids, aimed at discouraging young people from taking up vaping while still keeping the option available for smokers seeking alternatives to cigarettes. The measure follows the recent ban on disposable vapes and comes alongside higher duties on tobacco.
Source: Channel 103, 16th September 2025
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Study finds potential link between dual use and diabetes risk
New research published in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine Focus (AJPM focus) suggests that people who use both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes face a greater likelihood of developing diabetes and prediabetes compared to non-smokers. The analysis, based on a large health dataset from the United States, indicates that while vaping alone is associated with a modestly higher chance of developing prediabetes – but not diabetes – dual users are at the greatest risk, surpassing those who only smoke.
The findings also show that additional factors such as obesity and low income can further increase susceptibility. However, the study acknowledges limitations, including an inability to establish a cause and effect relationship between smoking/vaping and diabetes, reliance on self-reported data and the absence of information on genetic or lifestyle variables which could impact the findings.
Source: MSN News, 16th September 2025
Original Study: Neupane S, Florkowski WJ, Dhakal C. Heterogeneous Association Between E-Cigarette Use and Diabetes Prevalence Among U.S. Adults. AJPM Focus. June 2025 4(3).
Editorial note: In the study write up, the researchers advise that the findings should be “interpreted cautiously” due to the study’s many limitations. They also point out that the findings diverge from recent longitudinal studies which found no association between vaping and diabetes and call for further research.
Evidence consistently shows that while vaping is not risk-free, it is substantially less harmful than smoking. A 2024 evidence review published by the Royal College of Physicians concluded that there is “clear evidence that e-cigarettes cause less harm to health than combustible tobacco.”
For more information see the ASH pages ‘Vaping: what you need to know’
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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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