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New licensing scheme may affect tobacco and vape sales in convenience stores
Retailers could be required to apply for licences to sell tobacco and vape products under the proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which is expected to come into effect in January 2027. Licens¬ing consultant Jane Gil¬liead predicts the scheme will resemble the 2003 Licensing Act for alcohol, meaning shops in certain areas, such as near schools, in antisocial behaviour hotspots, or close to other licensed premises, could face restrictions.
Unlike with alcohol licensing, existing tobacco and vape retailers may have to apply for a license rather than being automatically enrolled.
The Association of Convenience Stores states that the scheme should effectively tackle illicit sales while ensuring responsible retailers are not unduly impacted.
Source: Better Retailing, 26 September 2025
Editorial note: ASH has recommended that the licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes is built around a specific public health objective. This is vital for the scheme to contribute to improved health outcomes in communities. For more information, read our submission to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill committee.
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More than one billion illegal cigarettes prevented from entering the market in the past year
The Sun reports that UK authorities confiscated more than one billion illegal cigarettes in the past year. Border Force accounted for around 927 million of these, with total seizures including HMRC efforts reaching approximately 1.19 billion.
Reform MP Lee Anderson criticises government policies on tobacco taxation, suggesting they contribute to increases in illicit trade.
Source: The Sun, 5 October 2025
Editorial note: The Sun article cites an increase in the number of illicit cigarettes seized by Border Force between 2022-23 and 2023-24 and attributes this to high tobacco taxes in the UK. However, the overall amount illicit tobacco seized by HMRC and Border Force is not on the rise and has remained stable since at least 2018-19 – when 1.33 billion cigarettes we seized, compared to 1.19 billion in 2024-25. 125,088kg of hand-rolled tobacco (HRT) were seized in 2018-19, compared to 125,088kg in 2024-25. The amount of illicit tobacco seized fluctuates year-on-year but the overall trend is flat.
HMRC estimates of the UK illicit tobacco market show that the number of illicit cigarettes consumed has fallen by almost 90% since 2000 – alongside a 68% decline in illicit hand-rolling tobacco (HRT). This has coincided with a significant increase in tobacco duties, with the average price of a 20 pack of cigarettes more than tripling since 2000. The clearly demonstrates that increases in tobacco tax are not a key driver of illicit sales.
Tobacco taxes are considered the single most effective way to reduce smoking rates according to the World Bank and WHO. In the UK, tobacco taxes – combined with a comprehensive anti-smuggling strategy – have been highly effective at reducing both smoking prevalence and the illicit trade in tobacco.
The article also cites the PMI-funded reports produced by KPMG as evidence that the illicit trade in the UK is growing (although the article does not acknowledge the PMI link). These reports have been criticised by independent experts for consistently overestimating levels of illicit cigarettes, being over reliant on unvalidated tobacco industry information, being insufficiently transparent and misrepresenting both the findings and pre-existing data.
See also: HMRC - Tax gaps: Excise (including alcohol, tobacco and oils). June 2025 | ASH blog: From smuggling to spin: how tobacco giants hijacked the illicit trade debate | Illicit Tobacco Partnership. Illicit tobacco PR guide
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Central NHS staffing cuts slow under Labour despite reduction target
HSJ analysis of workforce data shows that staffing levels across NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) increased slightly in the year to July 2025, marking a shift from the steep reductions seen under the previous Conservative government. Labour had pledged to reduce central NHS bureaucracy and redirect funding to frontline services, including a plan to abolish NHS England and cut its workforce by half. However, the pace of change has slowed, and that target has now been delayed until summer 2027.
The DHSC has committed to returning to pre-election staffing levels and has begun a voluntary exit scheme. While there have been modest recent declines, most notably within NHS England, progress toward the overall reduction remains limited and the timeline for reform has become less clear.
Source: HSJ, 6 October 2025
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Opinion: vaping company criticises government plans to restrict number of vape shops
This opinion piece, authored by Andrej Kuttruf, CEO of vaping company Evapo, challenges proposed government measures that would allow local councils to limit the number of vaping retailers. Kuttruf argues that while vaping is widely recognised by health authorities as an effective and less harmful tool to help smokers quit, restricting access to vape shops undermines public health goals.
He contends that the government is sending a contradictory message to smokers and healthcare professionals, with vaping promoted as a quitting aid but access to it potentially curtailed. Kuttruf states that Evapo has advocated for a licensing scheme that regulates the sector, but that policy should support smokers' access to vaping products to help achieve the UK’s smoke-free ambitions by 2030.
Source: City AM, 6 October 2025
Editorial note: This article has been included to provide insight into market trends and industry developments.
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Support for Hampshire smokers at stop smoking roadshows this October
Hampshire residents hoping to quit smoking will have the chance to receive free support at a series of roadshow events running throughout October. Organised by Smokefree Hampshire as part of the national Stoptober campaign, the initiative will kick off in Aldershot before travelling to Basingstoke, Winchester, Gosport and Eastleigh.
Funded by Hampshire County Council, the service has already supported over 800 people to stop smoking since April. The roadshows aim to offer guidance, motivation and practical advice to anyone thinking about giving up tobacco. With no referral needed, the service is free to all and encourages people to take the first step towards a healthier, smoke-free life.
Source: Hampshire County Council, 5 October 2025
See coverage of other local Stoptober initiatives: ‘Well worth’ joining Stoptober Brighton & Hove — The Argus | Bracknell Forest Council launches step up Stoptober plea — Bracknell News | Help for smokers to quit the habit during Stoptober — Express & Star
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Republic of Ireland: Budget 2026 to raise cigarette and vape prices amid social welfare increases
Ireland’s Budget 2026 will see the price of a pack of cigarettes rise by 50 cents, bringing the cost close to €19, one of the highest in Europe. Vaping products are also expected to face a similar price increase, adding to a tax introduced last year. The government says the move aims to reduce smoking rates and save lives. Alongside this, social welfare payments and the State pension are set to increase by around €10. The price of a pint is expected to remain unchanged despite a planned cut in hospitality VAT. Officials have confirmed there will be no universal energy credits for households in the Budget.
Source: The Irish Sun, 6 October 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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