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** 27 October 2025
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UK


** Over 1,200 health leaders urge rapid passage of UK tobacco and vapes bill (#1)
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** Opinion: Ban cigarette filters to tackle pollution and misinformation (#2)
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** UK peer seeks to weaken generational smoking ban amid potential conflicts of interest (#3)
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** Opinion: UK makes progress against illicit tobacco but local challenges remain (#4)
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** Lee Anderson warns soaring cigarette taxes are fuelling UK black market (#5)
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** Co-op boosts vape promotions after cyber-attack to recover sales (#6)
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** Wales urged to prioritise prevention to improve public health (#7)
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** Health experts call for cancer warnings on processed meats in the UK (#8)
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International


** Blog: Tobacco product identifiers yet to show impact on illicit trade (#9)
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** Tobacco companies profit despite declining US smoking rates (#10)
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Parliamentary activity


** House of Lords begins detailed scrutiny of Tobacco and Vapes Bill (#11)
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** Written questions (#12)
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UK


** Over 1,200 health leaders urge rapid passage of UK tobacco and vapes bill

More than 1,200 public health professionals, including doctors, nurses, and directors of public health, have urged parliament to pass the UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill quickly, citing its potential to prevent young people from becoming addicted to tobacco. The legislation, now entering the House of Lords committee stage, would make it illegal for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to purchase tobacco and would give authorities powers to regulate the marketing, packaging, and flavours of
e-cigarettes.

Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of ASH, highlighted the urgency of the bill, pointing to the continuing harm caused by tobacco and the opportunity to save lives through preventative legislation. Peter Roderick, spokesperson for addiction at the Association of Directors of Public Health, described the bill as a key opportunity to protect young people, support non-smokers, and reduce the health burden associated with tobacco use.

The article notes attempts by tobacco industry groups to influence the legislation, including lobbying peers to delay provisions such as the ban on heated tobacco products.

Source: The Guardian, 27 October 2025

See also: Health Leaders Demand Action on Generational Smoking Ban ([link removed]) - ASH | Public support for a smokefree society ([link removed]) - ASH

Editorial note: A national survey ([link removed]) conducted by YouGov for ASH in 2025 showed that 68% of adults in England support the Smokefree Generation measure in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, and only 13% oppose it.
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** Opinion: Ban cigarette filters to tackle pollution and misinformation

In this article written by Baroness Natalie Bennett, the former leader of the Green Party, cigarette filters are highlighted as one of the most widespread forms of plastic waste in the UK, despite the decline in smoking prevalence. Baroness Bennett warns that so-called biodegradable filters, often promoted as an environmental solution, are in fact just as harmful as conventional ones. These filters still absorb and release toxic chemicals such as arsenic and nicotine, take years to decompose, and give smokers the misleading impression that they are environmentally safe.

Bennett notes that filters were never designed to improve health; they were created by the tobacco industry as a marketing tool to suggest reduced harm, when actually they lead to smokers inhaling more deeply, drawing smoke further into their lungs. She argues that the tobacco industry uses filters as a form of greenwashing, maintaining profits while appearing eco-conscious. Calling for a complete ban on all filters, she concludes that removing them would reduce pollution, protect public health, and challenge decades of industry deception.

Source: Open Access Government, 24 October 2025

See also: The Great Cigarette Filter Fraud ([link removed]) - ASH
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** UK peer seeks to weaken generational smoking ban amid potential conflicts of interest

Lord Strathcarron, a member of the House of Lords, is pushing amendments to dilute the UK’s proposed generational smoking ban, which would prohibit tobacco sales to anyone born after 2008. He has proposed raising the legal purchase age from 18 to 21, a position that aligns with the lobbying stance of British American Tobacco. Strathcarron admitted discussing the bill with a relative employed at the company, though he described the person as “barely family,” raising questions about potential conflicts of interest under Lords’ rules. He also highlighted that peers often rely on lobby groups for research and drafting support due to a lack of official staff, and he works with several organisations, some with ties to the nicotine industry, to inform his policy positions.

Strathcarron’s amendments, if adopted, could allow millions more people to legally purchase tobacco over coming decades, and critics warn that his framing of cigars as harmless and emphasis on market forces contradicts public health evidence.

Source: The Guardian, 26 October 2025
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** Opinion: UK makes progress against illicit tobacco but local challenges remain

Writing in Local Government First, Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, and Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, highlight the progress made in tackling illicit tobacco in the UK. They reference HMRC data showing a nearly 90% drop in illegal cigarette consumption since 2000 and a fall in hand-rolling tobacco market share. Enforcement operations, including raids, seizures, arrests, and fines, continue to play a central role.

However, in some communities, particularly those with economic hardship or limited enforcement capacity, illicit tobacco remains visible, sold through informal networks and markets, sometimes near schools. The authors caution that the tobacco industry has exaggerated black market risks to resist regulation, but evidence indicates that strong control measures, taxes, and enforcement reduce illicit trade. Local Trading Standards teams remain critical in combatting illegal sales and protecting public health, despite budgetary pressures and stretched resources.

Source: Local Government First, 22 October 2025

See also: Illicit tobacco: facts, trends and industry tactics ([link removed]) - ASH
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** Lee Anderson warns soaring cigarette taxes are fuelling UK black market

Reform UK MP Lee Anderson claims that the UK government’s high tobacco duties are driving a surge in the black market for cigarettes, and that this is costing the Treasury billions in lost tax revenue while placing additional strain on the NHS. Anderson argues that the illicit trade affects high streets and public safety and calls for action against criminal gangs profiting from cheap tobacco.

Lord Michael Bichard, chairman of National Trading Standards, highlighted the work done by trading standards to seize illicit products and called for further action to tackle illicit sales.

Rupert Lewis, director of the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association, accused the government of “burying its head in the sand” over the issue. He warned of links between illicit tobacco and organised crime and advocates a strategy combining stricter enforcement, targeted education programmes, and promotion of safer nicotine alternatives to reduce smoking rates.

Source: The Express, 24 October 2025

See also: Illicit tobacco: facts, trends and industry tactics ([link removed]) - ASH

Editorial note: Tobacco taxes are considered the single most effective way to reduce smoking rates according to the World Bank ([link removed]) and WHO ([link removed]) . 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 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. HMRC estimates ([link removed]) 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 ([link removed]) in tobacco duties, with the average price of a 20 pack of cigarettes more than tripling since 2000.

The article cites data from the Philip Morris-funded KPMG ([link removed]) reports on the illicit tobacco trade. These reports have been criticised ([link removed]) 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.

The Tobacco Manufacturers Association ([link removed]) is the trade association for tobacco companies in the UK. Its members include BAT, JTI and Imperial Brands.
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** Co-op boosts vape promotions after cyber-attack to recover sales

The Co-operative Group is reported to have increased the visibility and promotion of vapes and nicotine pouches across its stores following a £200m cyber-attack that disrupted operations and caused significant sales losses. Internal documents revealed the retailer is using new displays, branding, and advertising to encourage sales in response to a drop in transactions and customer retention. While a Co-op spokesperson emphasised that all vape sales remain compliant with UK law and align with smoking cessation guidelines, an insider expressed concern that the strategy conflicts with the company’s longstanding ethical branding.

The article notes rising concerns over youth vaping and references the UK’s tobacco and vapes bill, which seeks to restrict flavours, advertising, and in-store displays to reduce uptake among under-18s.

Source: The Parliament Politics, 25 October 2025

See also: Co-op staff told to boost promotion of vapes after costly cyber-attack, document shows ([link removed]) – The Guardian
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** Wales urged to prioritise prevention to improve public health

Mental Health and Wellbeing Minister for the Welsh government Sarah Murphy emphasises the need for a greater focus on prevention to enhance long-term health and ease pressure on the NHS in Wales. She highlights the ongoing impact of preventable illnesses such as obesity and smoking, which account for thousands of deaths and hospital admissions each year and cost the healthcare system hundreds of millions. While acknowledging that medical interventions, such as weight loss treatments, can help some individuals, Murphy stresses they are not a solution for everyone and calls for a whole-system approach that addresses the underlying causes of obesity and other health challenges.

The Welsh Government has introduced measures to support this approach, including restrictions on promotions of less healthy foods, healthy eating initiatives in schools, Health Impact Assessments for public bodies, a commitment to tackling health inequalities, and a national lung cancer screening programme set to begin in 2027. Murphy emphasises that lasting change requires both government action and individuals acting as “champions of prevention,” noting that investment in early intervention can deliver significant long-term savings while creating a healthier, more equitable Wales.

Source: Nation Cymru, 24 October 2025
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** Health experts call for cancer warnings on processed meats in the UK

Health experts are urging the UK government to mandate warning labels on bacon and ham, highlighting that nitrites used in processing are linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer. A decade after the WHO classified processed meat as carcinogenic, critics argue that successive governments have done little to reduce exposure, despite evidence that these chemicals have contributed to tens of thousands of preventable cancer cases and cost the NHS billions.

Four of the scientists behind the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report, recommend that the majority of products containing nitrites carry clear health warnings and that producers phase out these compounds over the coming years. They emphasise that most consumers are unaware of the risks and need clear information to make safer choices, and warn that continued inaction prolongs public health harm and strain on healthcare services. While some organisations, such as the World Cancer Research Fund, acknowledge the cancer risk, they advocate mainly for limiting consumption rather than mandatory labelling.

Source: The Guardian, 24 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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International


** Blog: Tobacco product identifiers yet to show impact on illicit trade

In this blog published in Tobacco Control written Luk Joossens, Senior Advisor, and Erin Roman, Policy and Communications Manager at Smoke Free Partnership, the authors examine the European Union’s Tracking and Tracing (T&T) system for tobacco products, which has monitored supply chains using hundreds of billions of unique identifiers since 2019. While the system is intended to support investigations into illicit trade by tracking production, distribution, and retail delivery, there is still no public report on its effectiveness.

The authors highlight the potential for analytics, econometrics, and early-warning alerts to identify suspicious trends, but note that law enforcement and other agencies may not be able to fully access or utilise the data. At the global level, the WHO FCTC Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products established a framework for information sharing. Yet the system remains largely inactive, with many countries requiring technical support to implement effective T&T measures. The authors emphasise the need for increased law enforcement involvement, sharing of best practices, and evaluation of system performance to ensure T&T data effectively aids in combating illicit tobacco trade.

Source: BMJ, 26 October 2025
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** Tobacco companies profit despite declining US smoking rates

This article explores how American cigarette manufacturers continue to achieve strong financial performance despite a significant decline in the number of adult smokers over the past decade. As casual and price-sensitive smokers have quit, the remaining customer base consists of more committed consumers, allowing companies to raise prices at a faster rate than overall inflation. This pricing strategy offsets falling sales volumes, resulting in growing operating margins and substantial profits. Industry analysts note that while this approach is effective in the short term, it may be limited in the long term as the pool of smokers continues to shrink.

Source: The Economist, 26 October 2025
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Parliamentary activity


** House of Lords begins detailed scrutiny of Tobacco and Vapes Bill

The House of Lords will start the committee stage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill on 27 October, examining each clause in detail and considering proposed amendments. The bill aims to create a “smoke-free generation” by preventing the sale of tobacco to children turning 15 this year or younger and enabling new regulations on tobacco, vapes, and related products. Proposed changes include raising the minimum age of sale, phasing out tobacco by 2040, restricting online sales, banning high-strength oral nicotine products, and requiring age verification for retailers. The six-day committee stage allows for line-by-line discussion of the bill and is open to public viewing via Parliament TV.

Source: UK Parliament, 24 October 2025

See also: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill ([link removed]) - ASH
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** Written questions

Asked by Lord Kamall, Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care), Conservative

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure equitable screening participation based on (1) socioeconomic status, (2) ethnicity, and (3) smoking status, in the targeted lung cancer screening programme.

Answered by Baroness Merron, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social care), Labour

We know that some cancers disproportionately impact those living in deprived areas, notably lung cancer. The Lung Cancer Screening Programme is designed to identify cancer at an earlier stage and is aimed at high-risk individuals or people with a history of smoking between the ages of 55 to 74 years old.

The National Health Service is currently rolling out the National Lung Cancer Screening Programme to people with a history of smoking. The public health functions agreement between NHS England and the Department sets out that the Lung Cancer Screening Programme has a target to invite 50% of the eligible population by the end of March 2026.

Additionally, reducing inequalities is a key priority for the National Cancer Plan, which will look at the targeted improvements needed across different cancer types to reduce disparities in cancer survival. This includes looking at protected characteristics, such as ethnicity, as well as inequalities related to socioeconomic status, and geographic location.

Source: Hansard, 24 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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