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** 21 October 2025
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UK


** Authorities shut down shops over illegal tobacco and vape sales (#1)
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** Isle of Man moves closer to smoke-free future (#2)
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** Drinkaware report finds half of young adults choosing low and alcohol-free drinks ahead of government consultation (#3)
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** Obesity-linked cancers on the rise across all adult age groups, global study finds (#4)
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** Bingo Hall operators warn tax rise could lead to mass closures (#5)
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** Klar introduces unflavoured nicotine pouch ‘Blank’ in three strengths (#6)
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International


** UAE warns influencers over hidden promotions of vaping and smoking products (#7)
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Parliamentary activity


** Written questions (#8)
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UK


** Authorities shut down shops over illegal tobacco and vape sales

A national crackdown has led to the closure of several UK retailers involved in the sale of illicit tobacco and banned vape products. In Stockton-on-Tees and Haslingden, courts issued three-month closure orders after large quantities of illegal items were uncovered, including thousands of counterfeit cigarettes and prohibited single-use vapes. These actions were part of Operation Cece, a joint initiative between National Trading Standards and HMRC, and Operation Machinize, which also targets cash-based money laundering linked to the illicit trade.

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, stressed the damage such activity causes to both communities and honest businesses. So far, enforcement under these operations has seized 27 million illegal cigarettes, 7,500kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and nearly 175kg of shisha.

Source: Convenience Store, 20 October 2025
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** Isle of Man moves closer to smoke-free future

The Isle of Man may be on track to eliminate cigarette smoking within a generation, as recent figures show a steady decline in the number of smokers. Between 2022 and 2024, the proportion of the population who smoke dropped from ten to seven percent. Health officials attribute this trend to public health campaigns, including targeted initiatives encouraging people to quit.

Source: Manx Radio, 18 October 2025
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** Drinkaware report finds half of young adults choosing low and alcohol-free drinks ahead of government consultation

New figures from Drinkaware show that nearly half of young adults are using alcohol-free or low-alcohol alternatives to moderate consumption. The number of risky drinkers – those consuming more than 14 units per week – using these products has more than tripled since 2018.

This report comes ahead of a government consultation on whether to raise the legal threshold for a product to be labelled as alcohol-free, reflecting the sector’s growth and potential for reducing alcohol harm. Drinkaware and industry leaders say these trends mark a significant cultural change in drinking habits.

Source: The Independent, 21 October 2025

See also: Drinkaware - Alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks in the UK: Trends, barriers, and opportunities ([link removed])

Editorial note: Media stories covering prevention of ill-health are being included in ASH Daily News because policy change in these areas is indicative of the Government’s position on prevention and their attitudes to harm-causing industries.

The data cited in the article is from the Drinkaware Monitor series, which is carried out by YouGov. Drinkaware is a national charity funded by the alcohol industry, which regularly lobbies in line with the industry’s commercial interests. The alcohol industry has consistently argued that swapping to low alcohol alternatives ([link removed]) can help UK adults reduce their alcohol consumption.

However, a recent study (Kersbergen et al., 2025 ([link removed]) ) found no conclusive evidence that using no/lo drinks increased people’s chances of reducing their alcohol consumption. professional.
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** Obesity-linked cancers on the rise across all adult age groups, global study finds

A landmark international study has found that obesity-related cancers are rising among both younger and older adults, challenging the long-held belief that many of these cancers primarily affect younger populations. The study analysed cancer incidence data from 2003 to 2017 across 42 countries, focusing on 13 types of cancer. Six of these showed increasing rates in both age groups in nearly three-quarters of the countries studied.

However, the study also highlighted a significant success story: rates of liver, oral, oesophageal, and stomach cancers are declining among younger adults, a shift likely driven by effective public health campaigns targeting tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and hepatitis prevention. This contrast underscores the powerful impact of sustained, targeted public health interventions—and raises urgent questions about whether similar strategies could help slow the rise of obesity-driven cancers.

Source: The Independent, 21 October 2025

See also: Berrington De Gonzalez A., et al. Trends in cancer incidence in younger and older adults: an international comparative analysis ([link removed]) . Annals of Internal Medicine. 2025.

Editorial note: Media stories covering prevention of ill-health are being included in ASH Daily News because policy change in these areas is indicative of the Government’s position on prevention and their attitudes to harm-causing industries.
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** Bingo Hall operators warn tax rise could lead to mass closures

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been told that a potential tax hike in the upcoming Budget could trigger widespread closures of bingo halls across the UK. The industry fears that a proposed increase in taxes on betting firms—from 15% to 30%—alongside a possible rise in duty on slot and gaming machines to 50%, could push many venues to close.

Source: The Mirror, 20 October 2025

Editorial note: Media stories covering prevention of ill-health are being included in ASH Daily News because policy change in these areas is indicative of the Government’s position on prevention and their attitudes to harm-causing industries.
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** Klar introduces unflavoured nicotine pouch ‘Blank’ in three strengths

Klar has launched a new unflavoured nicotine pouch, available in three strengths - 3mg, 6mg, and 9mg. The nicotine pouch manufacturer has stated that the product targets adult nicotine users seeking unflavoured products.

Source: Better Retailing, 21 October 2025

Editorial note: This article has been included to provide insight into market trends and industry developments.
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International


** UAE warns influencers over hidden promotions of vaping and smoking products

The UAE Media Council has warned influencers that both direct and indirect promotion of vaping and tobacco products is strictly prohibited under federal media law. This includes subtle product placements, appearances in videos or stories, and reshared content that links influencers to smoking products.

The warning follows reports of influencers being approached by vape companies to discreetly feature products in their content. All promotional activity now requires an Advertiser Permit, as part of efforts to protect public health and enforce advertising transparency.

Source: Khaleej Times, 20 October 2025
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Parliamentary activity


** Written Answers

Asked by Sir James Cleverly, Shadow Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, Conservative, Braintree

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to introduce planning restrictions on the opening of (a) betting shops, (b) vaping shops and (c) Turkish barbers.

Answered by Mathew Pennycook, Housing and Planning Minister, Labour, Greeenwich and Woolwich

My Department currently has no plans to introduce such restrictions.
An application for planning permission will always be required for an additional betting office.

In the Pride in Place Strategy, we committed to introduce Cumulative Impact Assessments in gambling licensing, which will allow councils to take data-driven decisions on premises licences, particularly in areas that have been identified as being vulnerable to gambling-related harm.

Furthermore, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will provide powers for ministers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products.
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** Asked by Katie Lam, Acting Shadow Home Office Minister, Conservative, Weald of Kent

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she has made an assessment of the potential link between (a) organised crime groups facilitating illegal migration across the Channel, (b) organised crime groups engaged in the UK's illegal drug trade, and (c) organised crime groups engaged in the UK’s illicit tobacco trade.

Answered by Alex Norris, Border Security and Asylum Minister, Labour, Nottingham North and Kimberley

Organised Immigration Crime differs from other forms of organised crime as we often see loose affiliations of criminal networks, sometimes working together when it suits, enabling various stages of people’s journeys.

The National Crime Agency’s (NCA) 2025 National Strategic Assessment does note that a core characteristic of Serious Organised Crime (SOC) in 2024 was the continued diversification of criminal activity beyond previous understandings of the SOC threat. This is the result of the emergence of new groups of offenders with a broader range of motivations, diversification of methodologies, and more crossovers between different SOC threats.

A key trend in 2024 was for offenders to broaden their criminal activity across multiple threat areas, enabled by online connectivity, use of new technology, and reliance on the specialist services offered by ‘crime as a service’ providers. It is becoming increasingly easier for SOC offenders to connect with other offenders or to enter new criminal marketplaces.

The NCA continues to lead the UK law enforcement system to tackle the harms posed by serious and organised crime and protect the public.
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** Asked by Sir Julian Smith, Conservative, Skipton and Ripon

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the policy paper entitled Fit for the future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, published on 30 July 2025, whether the proposal to provide opt-out smoking cessation interventions in all routine care within hospitals includes people who (a) have been referred through urgent suspected referral for cancer, (b) are awaiting cancer treatment and (c) are undergoing cancer treatment.

Answered by Ashley Dalton, Public Health and Prevention Minister, Labour, West Lancashire

The 10-Year Health Plan committed to ensuring that all hospitals integrate ‘opt-out’ smoking cessation interventions into routine care. Within their 2025/26 allocations, integrated care boards have access to funding to support the rollout of tobacco dependency treatment services in hospital settings, including acute and mental health inpatient settings and maternity services. Where inpatients are identified as a smoker, including those in cancer-related services or undergoing cancer treatment, the expectation would be for them to receive an opt-out referral to talk to a specialist and subsequently make an informed decision about accessing treatment tailored to their needs.

Future funding decisions, including any decision to expand tobacco dependency treatment services across routine care, are subject to the Spending Review process.
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** Asked by Sir Julian Smith, Conservative, Skipton and Ripon

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 10 July 2025 to Question 64433 on Smoking: Health Services, if he will take steps to use (a) A&E, (b) lung screening and (c) other new NHS services to automatically enrol smokers into cessation services.

Answered by Ashley Dalton, Public Health and Prevention Minister, Labour, West Lancashire

The 10-Year Health Plan committed to ensuring that all hospitals integrate ‘opt-out’ smoking cessation interventions into routine care. Within their 2025/26 allocations, integrated care boards have access to funding to support the rollout of tobacco dependency treatment services in hospital settings, including acute and mental health inpatient settings and maternity services. Where inpatients are identified as a smoker, including those in cancer-related services or undergoing cancer treatment, the expectation would be for them to receive an opt-out referral to talk to a specialist and subsequently make an informed decision about accessing treatment tailored to their needs.

Future funding decisions, including any decision to expand tobacco dependency treatment services across routine care, are subject to the Spending Review process.
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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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