View this email in your browser ([link removed])


** 24 October 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
UK


** WHO warns of tobacco industry interference with global anti-smoking treaty (#1)
------------------------------------------------------------


** Top appointments announced for merged DHSC–NHS England team (#2)
------------------------------------------------------------


** Walsall stop smoking services unite to increase quit attempts (#3)
------------------------------------------------------------


** Vape firm acquires SlimFast UK for £20m (#4)
------------------------------------------------------------


** Rishi Sunak reflects on his time as PM: “I’m proud I brought in the smoking ban for the young” (#6)
------------------------------------------------------------
Parliamentary activity


** Written answers (#7)
------------------------------------------------------------
Links of the Week


** Report: Killer Tactics 2 (#8)
------------------------------------------------------------


** Podcast: Hospital smoking messages from the mouths of babes (#9)
------------------------------------------------------------
UK


** WHO warns of tobacco industry interference with global anti-smoking treaty

The World Health Organization has alerted governments to increased efforts by the tobacco industry to undermine the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), which seeks to reduce smoking and vaping through measures such as public smoking bans, advertising restrictions, and health warnings. Ahead of a Conference of the Parties (COP) meeting in Geneva next month, the UN highlighted tactics by the industry, including lobbying, placing sympathetic individuals in delegations, and misrepresenting science to weaken policies. The WHO emphasised that governments must act decisively to enforce proven tobacco control measures.

Source: The Telegraph, 23 October 2025

See also: WHO - Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) ([link removed](who-fctc)) | ASH – Tobacco Tactics ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])


** Top appointments announced for merged DHSC–NHS England team

The government has confirmed key leadership roles for the new joint Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England structure, taking effect in November. Tom Riordan will serve as Chief Operating Officer and Second Permanent Secretary, Matthew Style as Director General for System Development, and Professor Chris Whitty remains Chief Medical Officer. Several senior posts are still interim or vacant, as the department continues to finalise its leadership team and national programme directors.

Source: Health Service Journal, 18 September 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])


** Walsall stop smoking services unite to increase quit attempts

Stop smoking providers in Walsall have formed a collaborative, led by the council’s Public Health team, to improve quit rates across the borough. The initiative brings together NHS partners, community services and Be Well Walsall to share best practice and strengthen support.

Access to prescribed aids such as varenicline, regulated vapes, and behavioural support is offered free for 8–12 weeks, while targeted services for pregnant women and hospital patients have also boosted engagement. Smoking at delivery has fallen to 7.1% in 2024/25, reflecting early success of the programme.

Source: Walsall Council, 23 October 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])


** Vape firm acquires SlimFast UK for £20m

A UK vape and drinks company, has purchased SlimFast UK for £20.1 million, expanding its portfolio into the sector. SlimFast, a meal replacement brand, sells its products through major retailers across the UK. Supreme plans to leverage the acquisition to enhance SlimFast’s market presence, bring powder production in-house, and expand the brand globally, following on its previous acquisitions such as Typhoo Tea.

Source: Grocery Gazette, 23 October 2025

Editorial note: This article has been included to provide insight into market trends and industry developments.
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])


** Rishi Sunak reflects on his time as PM: “I’m proud I brought in the smoking ban for the young”

Rishi Sunak reflects on his premiership, admitting communication missteps and challenges in achieving all policy goals. He describes the generational smoking ban as one of his key political achievements, alongside other public health and economic initiatives. Facing criticism and electoral setbacks, he underscores the importance of political responsibility, principled decision-making, and resilience. Despite stepping down, Sunak remains engaged with policy issues, public service, and political discourse, drawing on his values, experience, and commitment to governance as he continues to influence public life.

Source: The Times, 24 October 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
Parliamentary activity


** Written Answer

Asked by Sammy Wilson, DUP Spokesperson for the Treasury, Democratic Unionist Party, East Antrim

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential enforcement challenges associated with implementing the proposed generational smoking ban in Northern Ireland.

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

Measures in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will strengthen enforcement and will help to ensure the successful implementation of the smoke-free generation policy. Age of sale restrictions for tobacco products are already in place in Northern Ireland, with enforcement led by district councils. The Department of Health in Northern Ireland, through the Public Health Agency, funds tobacco control officers to conduct test purchases and support retailer compliance. These arrangements are expected to continue under the new legislative framework and will include additional products. The Department of Health in Northern Ireland is working closely with councils in preparation for implementation of the smoke-free generation policy on 1 January 2027.

The bill also gives ministers in Northern Ireland the ability to introduce a licensing scheme for the retail sale of tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products. This will strengthen enforcement, support legitimate businesses, and crack down on rogue retailers who breach the law. Once implemented, this will replace the existing retailer register for tobacco products in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Assembly provided its legislative consent for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on 10 February 2025.
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
Links of the Week


** Report: Killer Tactics 2

This report from Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) and the Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA), a follow-up to 2024’s Killer Tactics report, tells the story of how health harming industries have used their tactics to undermine important public health policies since the Labour Government have been in power.
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])


** Podcast: Hospital smoking messages from the mouths of babes

This BBC Sounds podcast features an interview with the headteacher of Linthorpe Park Primary School, who, along with the school’s children, has joined a campaign to help people quit smoking. The primary school children have teamed up with the local hospital and are now involved in making tannoy announcements, which convey important health messages about smoking. These announcements are now being delivered by the students at James Cook University Hospital.
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
Have you been forwarded this email? Subscribe to ASH Daily News here. ([link removed])

For more information email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or visit www.ash.org.uk
@ASHorguk ([link removed])

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.

============================================================
Our mailing address is:
Action on Smoking and Health
Unit 2.9, The Foundry
17 Oval Way
London
SE11 5RR

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])