View this email in your browser ([link removed])
** 19 September 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
UK
** Concerns grow over child use of nicotine pouches (#1)
------------------------------------------------------------
** Rotherham intensifies efforts to curb smoking and youth vaping (#2)
------------------------------------------------------------
** Cardiff health board fined after smoking policy failings at mental health unit (#3)
------------------------------------------------------------
** Many vapes still disposed of unsafely despite recent ban (#4)
------------------------------------------------------------
International
** Industries accused of obstructing global health policies (#5)
------------------------------------------------------------
Links of the week
** Local Government Association: Tobacco and Vapes Bill - licensing of the retail sale of tobacco, vaping and nicotine products (#6)
------------------------------------------------------------
** Letter: Health leaders call for stronger government action on tobacco, alcohol and obesity (#7)
------------------------------------------------------------
UK
** Concerns grow over child use of nicotine pouches
Health officials have raised alarms over the rising use of nicotine pouches among school-aged children, with reports of children fainting after consuming high-strength products. Packaged in bright colours and sweet-like flavours, the pouches can currently be sold legally to minors as they fall outside existing tobacco and vaping regulations.
Free samples are being distributed in public places and online, while the discreet design makes them difficult for parents and teachers to detect. Councils and Trading Standards bodies warn that the products can be addictive, particularly for young people, and are urging families to be vigilant until national legislation, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, is introduced. The Bill will introduce a minimum age of sale for nicotine pouches and give the government powers to ban marketing and regulate their appearance and contents.
Source: Manchester Evening News, 19 September 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
** Rotherham intensifies efforts to curb smoking and youth vaping
Smoking prevalence in Rotherham remains above the national level, contributing to high rates of lung disease, cancer and health inequality across the borough. A council report highlights particularly elevated smoking among disadvantaged groups and those with mental health conditions.
In response, the local authority has introduced a three-year tobacco control strategy and is developing a separate plan to address the growing uptake of vaping among teenagers. The approach includes integrating e-cigarettes into stop-smoking services, tougher enforcement against underage sales, school-based prevention measures and restrictions on vape advertising.
Rotherham also continues to participate in wider regional campaigns promoting smoke-free living, supported by national investment in community services targeting areas with the highest smoking burden.
Source: The Star, 18 September 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
** Cardiff health board fined after smoking policy failings at mental health unit
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has been ordered to pay nearly £100,000 after a mental health facility repeatedly failed to follow and properly record its smoking control measures. Fire service inspections found widespread breaches, including patients smoking indoors and cigarette waste across the site, despite an enforcement notice.
The shortcomings came to light after a blaze in 2021, though the court accepted that record-keeping failures did not directly cause the incident. The board admitted its procedures had lapsed during the pandemic but said improvements, including a full smoking ban across its sites, are now in place.
The unit has faced ongoing criticism over patient safety, with recent inspection reports highlighting serious concerns. The health board is currently under Welsh Government “targeted intervention” and external specialists are reviewing services to drive improvements.
Source: Wales Online, 18 September 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
** Many vapes still disposed of unsafely despite recent ban
A new poll conducted by Find Out Now for the Grocer indicates that about one in three regular vaping users in the UK continue to throw away their used devices in ways that may be hazardous, despite a legal ban aimed at reducing environmental harm. 23% of those surveyed said they dispose of used vapes in the bin, and 12% wrongly discard used vapes in their home recycling. 30% said they are correctly using retailer takeback schemes for their used vapes.
Respondents cited lack of awareness of recycling options and confusion over disposal rules as major factors. There are calls for clearer guidance, better collection points, and stronger enforcement to ensure vapes are discarded safely.
The poll also revealed that more vape users are using refillable vapes. 92% said the last vape they purchased was a reusable pod or prefilled pod kit, and the same amount also said they always recharge their device.
Source: The Grocer, 18 September 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
International
** Industries accused of obstructing global health policies
The World Health Organization has accused major tobacco, alcohol and processed food companies of hindering government efforts to implement measures aimed at reducing preventable diseases such as cancer and heart conditions. Ahead of a United Nations meeting on non-communicable diseases, the agency warned that industry lobbying frequently weakens or delays reforms, including taxes on harmful products and restrictions on marketing to children. The WHO estimates that modest public investment in tackling these diseases could save millions of lives and generate vast economic benefits by 2030.
Source: Reuters, 18 September 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
Links of the week
** Local Government Association: Tobacco and Vapes Bill - licensing of the retail sale of tobacco, vaping and nicotine products
The Local Government Association has issued FAQs about the details of the potential new licensing scheme under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
------------------------------------------------------------
** Source: Local Government Association, 11 March 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
** Letter: Health leaders call for stronger government action on tobacco, alcohol and obesity
In a letter published in The Guardian, public health figures Hazel Cheeseman (ASH), Prof Sir Ian Gilmore (Alcohol Health Alliance), and Katharine Jenner (Obesity Health Alliance) have urged the UK government to take firmer action against industries driving preventable disease. They argue that measures such as minimum unit pricing for alcohol, a levy on tobacco industry profits, and mandatory reformulation of food and drink are essential to reducing the burden on the NHS and boosting productivity.
Source: The Guardian, 14 September 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
Have you been forwarded this email? Subscribe to ASH Daily News here. ([link removed])
For more information email
[email protected] (mailto:
[email protected]) or visit www.ash.org.uk
@ASHorguk ([link removed])
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.
============================================================
Our mailing address is:
Action on Smoking and Health
Unit 2.9, The Foundry
17 Oval Way
London
SE11 5RR
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
