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Smoking ban intended to apply in Northern Ireland despite legal debate
The government’s intention for the planned ban on tobacco sales to those born after 2009 to include Northern Ireland was reiterated by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn during a Commons session. When pressed by shadow minister Mike Wood, Benn confirmed it is “certainly the government’s intention” that the ban will apply across the UK. This followed concerns raised by former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland and others about potential conflicts with the Windsor Framework, a post-Brexit agreement that requires Northern Ireland to align with certain EU rules on goods to avoid a hard border with the Republic of Ireland.
Source: The Independent, 15 October 2025
Editorial note: A recent report published by the European Respiratory Society confirms that a smokefree generation law would be legal for an EU member state to introduce. For more information see the European Respiratory Society report.
The Northern Irish Assembly approved the Legislative Consent Motion for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in February, meaning that the Bill will also apply in Northern Ireland once it is passed into law.
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Community campaign in Somerset promotes support-based approach to quitting smoking
A new campaign in Somerset is encouraging residents to support friends and family in their efforts to quit smoking. Rather than focusing on pressure to quit, the initiative promotes open conversations, shared motivations, and practical help. Organised by Smokefree Somerset in partnership with local public health services, the “What’s Your Why?” campaign invites people to make a public pledge to show support for those trying to stop smoking. It highlights that encouragement from loved ones can make a real difference and offers free, non-judgemental help through local services. Community events are being held this autumn to raise awareness and encourage sign-ups.
Source: Bridgwater Mercury, 15 October 2025
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Health MOTs trialled in Clacton amid deepening local health crisis
Clacton-on-Sea, now identified as having the lowest life expectancy and highest premature mortality rates in Britain, is facing a worsening public health emergency. High levels of unemployment, poor diet, low physical activity, and chronic illness are common in the area, which has also seen cuts to local amenities. In response, a new pilot will offer health checks to adults aged 30 and over – a decade earlier than standard practice – in a bid to catch problems earlier.
While some locals welcome the idea, others cite stress, cost of living, lack of healthy food options, and limited access to facilities as barriers to better health. Experts warn that unless wider social and economic issues are addressed – from education to infrastructure – health MOTs alone are unlikely to shift the needle. Clacton’s situation reflects a national trend where deprivation and declining health outcomes go hand in hand, particularly in areas represented by Reform UK.
Source: The Telegraph, 15 October 2025
Editorial note: Polling by Public First has shown that the majority of Reform voters are supportive of a range of public health measures that target harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol, and unhealthy food.
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Philip Morris faces investigation in Italy over marketing of heated tobacco products
Italy’s antitrust authority has opened an investigation into Philip Morris Italia over concerns that its marketing of heated tobacco products, such as IQOS, VEEV and ZYN, may mislead consumers. Authorities are questioning the use of terms like “smoke-free”, which could wrongly imply these products are harmless or significantly less harmful than traditional cigarettes. The investigation follows past penalties in both Italy and France for similar advertising practices, raising ongoing concerns about the transparency of the company’s promotional activities.
Source: GreenMe, 15 October 2025
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Mental fatigue found to be key factor in smoking relapse
A new international study has identified psychological fatigue as a leading cause of relapse among former smokers, surpassing even cravings and low self-belief. Researchers followed nearly 2,000 long-term ex-smokers across four countries and found that those who felt most mentally worn down by the ongoing effort to remain smoke-free were significantly more likely to return to smoking. This type of fatigue, known as cessation fatigue, appeared to operate independently of other known relapse risks such as withdrawal or lack of confidence. The findings suggest that routine health checks could include screening for mental exhaustion related to quitting, allowing for earlier support to prevent relapse.
Source: News Medical Lifesciences, 16 October 2025
See also: Yong H, et al. Understanding the role of cessation fatigue in smoking relapse: findings from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey. Addiction. 2025. doi:10.1111/add.70196.
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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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