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Cornwall couple celebrate success after quitting smoking
A couple from St Keverne have managed to stop smoking after more than twenty years, thanks to support from Cornwall Council’s Healthy Cornwall service. The couple were prescribed Varenicline to help them stop smoking. Both had struggled to quit in the past but have now been smoke-free for several weeks. They said the financial strain of buying tobacco, alongside health concerns, motivated them to finally succeed. Cornwall Council reported that more than half of those seeking help through its stop smoking service last year managed to give up within a month, with officials highlighting the wide-ranging benefits beyond improved health.
Source: BBC News, 2 October 2025
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Thanet shows highest levels of smoking in pregnancy in Kent
NHS data shows that nearly 12% of expectant mothers in Thanet smoke, almost double the national average. Other areas with high levels include Gravesham, Maidstone and Swale. A Kent GP warned that smoking during pregnancy raises the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, low birth weight and long-term health conditions for children. Dr Spinks explained that high rates of deprivation in the region coincide with high rates of smoking during pregnancy. He urged women to seek NHS support, which includes financial incentives for those who quit. The government aims to reduce smoking in pregnancy nationally to 6%.
Source: KentOnline, 1 October 2025
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One year countdown to introduction of vaping duty and stamp scheme begins in the UK
The UK government will introduce a new excise duty on e-liquids from October 2026, charging £2.20 per 10ml, alongside a requirement for duty stamps on all vaping products. Businesses manufacturing, importing or storing these goods must apply for HMRC approval from April 2026 to continue operating legally. A grace period will apply for older stock until April 2027, after which all products must carry duty stamps or face penalties. The changes form part of broader reforms, including a ban on disposable vapes, and potential packaging and flavour restrictions under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Source: Midlothian View, 1 October 2025
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Industry-linked vape advocacy group warns possible COP11 outcomes could harm public health and small businesses
A vaping advocacy group, We Vape, has voiced concern that proposals expected at COP11 could lead to restrictions on vaping, such as bans on flavours, taxes and tighter regulation, that may drive users back to combustible cigarettes. The organisation argues that such measures could disproportionately damage small retailers and calls for greater transparency and stakeholder engagement.
Source: Convenience Store, 30 September 2025
See also: Tobacco Tactics – We Vape
Editorial note: According to Tobacco Tactics, the Director of We Vape, Mark Oates, has received funding from the tobacco industry-funded Consumer Choice Center (CCC) via his consulting agency, Oates Consulting.
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Chief Medical Officer says obesity strategy must prioritise deprived areas
England’s Chief Medical Officer has criticised Labour’s approach to obesity, arguing that government plans focus too heavily on more affluent areas while the crisis is most acute in deprived communities. He warned that measures such as mandatory calorie reporting and supermarket healthy food standards risk overlooking regional disparities. While acknowledging weight-loss drugs could help some with severe obesity, he cautioned against over-reliance on them, stressing the lack of long-term evidence and the need for preventive policies targeting children and disadvantaged groups.
Source: The Telegraph, 2 October 2025
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Health minister continues work on cancer plan while living with incurable illness
Public health minister Ashley Dalton has revealed she is undergoing chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer while leading efforts to shape the government’s ten-year cancer strategy. Diagnosed with metastatic cancer last year, Dalton has chosen to continue in her ministerial role, stressing the importance of supporting patients to remain in work if they wish. Dalton said the forthcoming national cancer plan will focus on helping patients live longer and better, with survival improvement as its key aim.
Source: The Times, 1 October 2025
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Study finds personalised digital tools most effective for quitting smoking
Researchers at Sichaun University in China have analysed more than 150 clinical trials involving over 55,000 participants to compare different approaches to digital support for smoking cessation. Their findings indicate that tailored programmes, particularly those adapted to individual or group needs, achieved higher success rates than standard methods. Text message-based support was identified as the most effective delivery method, while middle-aged smokers showed the greatest benefit compared with younger groups. The study highlights the potential of customised digital tools to enhance public health, though further research is needed to assess long-term outcomes and improve consistency across interventions.
Source: Medical Xpress, 1 October 2025
See also: Shen Li et al. Efficacy of digital interventions for smoking cessation by type and method: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Nature Human Behaviour (2025)
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Ireland to introduce new vape liquid tax from November
A tax on e-liquids used in vapes and e-cigarettes will come into force on 1 November, following delays to allow suppliers time to prepare. The measure will apply a charge of 50 cents per millilitre to both nicotine and non-nicotine products, with suppliers required to register and file returns with Revenue. Ministers said the move aims to curb rising vaping rates, particularly among young people, and aligns with wider public health policies. Further restrictions, including a ban on single-use and flavoured vapes and tighter retail controls, are expected next year.
Source: Irish Independent, 30 September 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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