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** 30 October 2025
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UK


** VPZ meets with Parliamentarians on vape regulation (#1)
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International


** Report warns of rising tobacco industry influence on U.S. health policy (#2)
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** Obesity rates in the U.S. fall as weight loss drug use surges (#3)
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** Study finds weak enforcement of Ireland’s tobacco laws despite widespread breaches (#4)
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UK


** VPZ meets with Parliamentarians on vape regulation

The vape retailer VPZ has said that it held a series of meetings with MPs and peers to discuss forthcoming vaping legislation. The discussions followed progress on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and focused on enforcement and regulation. Topics raised by VPZ included imported devices, pre-filled pods, and testing.

Source: Convenience Store, 29 October 2025
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International


** Report warns of rising tobacco industry influence on U.S. health policy

A new analysis by Action on Smoking & Health USA (ASH) has highlighted increasing interference by the tobacco industry in American public health policymaking. The organisation’s 2025 Tobacco Industry Interference Index gave the U.S. a score of 89 out of 100, placing it 98th globally and indicating a high level of industry influence.

The report, based on World Health Organization guidelines, assessed factors such as transparency, conflicts of interest, and government engagement with tobacco companies. The U.S. was criticised for failing to disclose meetings with industry representatives, earning a poor transparency rating.

ASH attributed the rise in influence to a surge in lobbying activity, which has grown by nearly a quarter over the past year. Experts suggested this reflects industry anxiety over emerging “endgame” laws aimed at phasing out tobacco sales entirely.

To curb interference, ASH called for stricter transparency rules, longer restrictions on lobbying for former government officials, and greater awareness of international tobacco control commitments.

Source: The Hill, 30 October 2025

See also: Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index (Global Tobacco Index) - Global Tobacco Industry Interference Index (Global Tobacco Index) ([link removed])
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** Obesity rates in the U.S. fall as weight loss drug use surges

A new Gallup survey has revealed a significant decline in U.S. obesity rates, with 7.6 million fewer adults now living with the condition compared with three years ago. The national obesity rate has dropped from a record 39.9 per cent in 2022 to 37 per cent, marking the first notable decrease in years.

Researchers attributed much of the change to the rapid rise in use of GLP-1-based drugs such as Ozempic and other semaglutide treatments. Usage of these medications has more than doubled since early 2024, with around one in eight adults now reporting they take them for weight loss.

Experts cautioned, however, that despite the decline, obesity remains widespread and access to the drugs is uneven. Only 13 U.S. states currently cover GLP-1 treatments for obesity under Medicaid. Gallup also noted a record rise in diabetes diagnoses, suggesting that lasting health improvements will depend not only on medical treatments but also on broader lifestyle changes.

Source: The Independent, 29 October 2025

See also: Gallup - Obesity Rate Declining in U.S. ([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.
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** Study finds weak enforcement of Ireland’s tobacco laws despite widespread breaches

A new national study led by academics from the Technological University of Shannon and the University of Limerick has revealed that enforcement of Ireland’s tobacco-control legislation remains minimal, with thousands of violations resulting in very few convictions.

The research analysed a decade of official Health Service Executive data and found more than 23,800 cases of non-compliance between 2014 and 2023. Despite this, only 267 convictions were recorded — just over one per cent of all breaches. Most fines were €1,500 or less, and many convicted retailers faced little or no suspension from the Tobacco Retail Register.

Researchers said the lack of effective enforcement risks undermining Ireland’s reputation as a leader in tobacco control. They called for the introduction of fixed penalty notices and the reintroduction of minimum suspension periods to ensure meaningful deterrents.

Source: Limerick Leader, 29 October 2025

See also: Houghton F, Lombard J. Examining tobacco-control enforcement in Ireland 2014–2023: an observational study. Perspectives in Public Health. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/17579139251371974 ([link removed])

Editorial note:

This article is based on tobacco conviction data released annually by the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) National Environmental Health Service. It explored convictions, penalties, and associated costs imposed under various sections of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 (as amended).
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For more information email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or visit www.ash.org.uk
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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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