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** 15 October 2025
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UK


** Grimsby woman quits smoking with NHS support and marks one year smoke-free (#1)
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** Study links poor health in communities to higher support for Reform UK (#2)
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** Third sector vital for success of neighbourhood health services (#3)
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** East London council urges youth to report illegal vape sales (#4)
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International


** Greece calls for softer rollout of EU tobacco tax increases (#5)
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** Erdogan urges Meloni to quit smoking, but Macron doubts success (#6)
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UK


** Grimsby woman quits smoking with NHS support and marks one year smoke-free

A woman from Grimsby has celebrated a year without smoking after previously consuming up to 40 cigarettes daily. She received support through the NHS, including regular appointments, and being provided with nicotine patches and vapes. Gradually reducing her nicotine intake, she now uses a nicotine-free vape and is considering quitting entirely. She says the benefits of quitting are noticeable in her day-to-day life.

Source: Grimsby Live, 14 October 2025
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** Study links poor health in communities to higher support for Reform UK

A new study by Imperial College London has found a correlation between poor health outcomes and stronger support for Reform UK in the 2024 general election. Analysing health and voting data, researchers noted that three of the five constituencies that elected Reform MPs were among the most deprived in the country. These areas showed higher rates of chronic conditions such as obesity, COPD, and epilepsy, and had a larger elderly population. The findings suggest that long-standing health and care inequalities, intensified by austerity and the Covid-19 pandemic, may be driving political dissatisfaction in these regions. The researchers stress that these findings should urge Reform MPs to address these health concerns.

Source: The Independent, 15 October 2025
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** See also: Imperial College London - ([link removed]) Poorer health linked to more votes for Reform UK in England ([link removed])
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** Third sector vital for success of neighbourhood health services

Sharon Brennan, the Director of Policy and External Affairs at National Voices, writing in the HSJ, has urged that the Department of Health and Social Care must develop a clear and collective strategy that includes the voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector as an equal partner in shaping neighbourhood health services. While local government and the NHS have made progress in collaboration, Brennan suggests that greater transparency and defined goals are needed to clarify whether neighbourhoods aim to reduce hospital demand or improve community care and prevention. With Healthwatch being phased out, Brennan stresses that the third sector remains crucial in reaching vulnerable populations and supporting self-management of long-term conditions. For neighbourhood services to succeed, a genuine long-term commitment and meaningful co-production with communities will be essential to address growing health challenges, Brennan concludes.

Source: Health Service Journal, 14 October 2025
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** East London council urges youth to report illegal vape sales

Barking and Dagenham Council in East London has intensified efforts to tackle the sale of illicit vapes, encouraging young people to report shops breaking the law. Between April 2024 and March 2025, nearly 6,000 illicit vaping products were confiscated. Authorities warn that many illicit vapes contain harmful substances, including the synthetic drug 'spice,'. The council’s campaign, supported by anonymous reporting, aims to curb underage access and reduce associated health risks.

Source: MyLondon, 14 October 2025
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International


** Greece calls for softer rollout of EU tobacco tax increases

Greece has expressed reservations over the European Commission’s proposal to significantly raise taxes on tobacco and nicotine products across the EU. While supporting the idea of harmonising tax rules, Greek officials advocate for milder increases, longer implementation timelines, and a shift to taxing based on product weight rather than units. The proposal, backed by several Northern European states, aims to modernise outdated legislation and introduce a new EU-wide tobacco tax.

Ekathimerini.com, 14th October 2025
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** Editorial note: According to the World Bank ([link removed]) and WHO ([link removed]) , tobacco taxes are the single most effective way to reduce smoking rates. The evidence shows that tax increases do not have a significant impact on the illicit market, provided that they are accompanied by a comprehensive enforcement strategy and supply chain controls. A 2019 World Bank report ([link removed]) found that the illicit trade is “relatively larger in countries with low taxes and prices, while relatively smaller in countries with higher cigarette taxes and prices.”

Tobacco taxation has played a key role in reducing smoking prevalence in the UK since the 1990s – alongside declining illicit sales. The number of illicit cigarettes consumed in the UK has fallen by almost 90% since the turn of the century, while the price of an average pack of cigarettes has more than tripled.

See also: ASH. Illicit tobacco: facts, trends and industry tactics ([link removed])
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** Erdogan urges Meloni to quit smoking, but Macron doubts success
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**
During a peace summit in Egypt, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his determination to persuade Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to give up smoking. However, French President Emmanuel Macron was reportedly sceptical, suggesting it was unlikely to happen. Meloni recently resumed smoking after previously quitting. The exchange was captured in media coverage following the summit.

Source: Politico, 13 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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