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** 6 November 2025
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UK


** Nicotine pouch use and health concerns (#3)
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** York records one of England’s lowest smoking rates as quit support pays off (#1)
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** New NHS framework sets out wider role for ICBs in prevention and neighbourhood health (#2)
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International


** France proposes generational ban on tobacco sales to curb youth smoking (#4)
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** Philip Morris International restructures to expand smoke-free and heated tobacco products (#5)
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Parliamentary activity


** Written Answers (#6)
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UK


** Nicotine pouch use and health concerns

This BBC report spoke to school pupils and a health expert about the use of nicotine pouches in young people. Pupils note that many of their classmates are aware of the products and that there is use among their peers.

The report highlights that the Chartered Trading Standards Institute have received an increasing number reports from teachers and parents about shops marketing and selling pouches to children, and notes an investigation that found some packaging was designed to resemble sweets.

Currently, there is no legal age restriction for purchasing these products, despite their high nicotine content.

The health expert interviewed explains that nicotine addiction is one of the biggest concerns around youth use. Other health effects linked to use include oral changes, such as white patches in the mouth lining and gum disease.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) stated that the upcoming Tobacco and Vaping Bill will ban the sale of nicotine pouches to under-18s and introduce powers to regulate their sale, packaging, and display.

See also: Extra-strong nicotine pouches packaged like children's sweets - BBC News ([link removed]) | Nicotine pouches - ASH ([link removed]) | ASH calls for swift legislation on nicotine pouches as new data shows surge in youth awareness - ASH ([link removed])

Editorial note: Recent ASH data ([link removed]) shows that 43% of under 18s in Great Britain are aware of nicotine pouches, and nearly 4% report have tried them.
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** York records one of England’s lowest smoking rates as quit support pays off

Recent figures show that smoking in York has fallen to 6.7 per cent of adults, placing the city among the lowest in England. The decline is attributed to the City of York Council’s Health Trainer Service, which offers free stop-smoking advice, nicotine replacement therapies and access to vapes as quitting aids.

Cllr Lucy Steels Walshaw, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult social care at City of York Council, credits the city’s success to coordinated efforts between services and residents’ commitment to healthier lifestyles. The Health Trainer team, recognised as one of the top performing stop smoking services, also helps residents with diet, exercise and managing long-term conditions.

Across the wider Humber and North Yorkshire area, smoking levels have dropped to a record 11.7 per cent, equating to around 15,000 fewer smokers than last year.

Source: York Press, 6 November 2025

See also: Smoking profile: November 2025 update - GOV.UK ([link removed]) | Adult smoking habits in the UK - Office for National Statistics ([link removed])
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** New NHS framework sets out wider role for ICBs in prevention and neighbourhood health

A new NHS England framework on strategic commissioning sets out how Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) should take a more proactive, long-term approach to improving population health. Published as part of the NHS Strategic Commissioning Framework, the guidance calls for ICBs to focus on prevention and neighbourhood-level care, shifting resources away from traditional hospital-based models.

ICBs are expected to work more closely with local authorities, community organisations and non-traditional providers to address wider social and economic factors that influence health. The framework positions this neighbourhood focus as a key opportunity to move NHS spending towards prevention for the first time in many years.

The document also outlines new planning and reporting requirements, including five-year strategies, health improvement plans and annual needs assessments. These measures aim to support more consistent and data-driven commissioning across systems, helping ICBs design services that promote wellbeing and reduce health inequalities.

Source: Health Service Journal, 5 November 2025

See also: NHS England Strategic commissioning framework ([link removed])
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International


** France proposes generational ban on tobacco sales to curb youth smoking

A new bill introduced in the French National Assembly seeks to prevent anyone born after 1 January 2014 from ever purchasing tobacco, including heated tobacco products, even after reaching adulthood. The measure, supported by multiple political groups and health organisations, is designed to gradually reduce smoking initiation and contribute to France’s goal of a tobacco-free generation by 2032.

The proposal aligns with the European Union’s wider aim of cutting smoking prevalence to below 5% by 2040. Lawmakers present the plan as a major public health measure, citing the social and economic burden of tobacco use, which causes around 75,000 deaths annually in France and has an estimated social cost of €156 billion. They also highlight broader concerns linked to tobacco production, including deforestation and child labour in some producing countries. The phased approach is intended to allow demand to decline gradually and minimise disruption for retailers while targeting long-term reductions in smoking prevalence.

Source: Entrevue, 4 November 2025
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** Philip Morris International restructures to expand smoke-free and heated tobacco products

Philip Morris International (PMI) has announced a global reorganisation effective 1 January 2026 to support its smoke-free ambitions. The company will operate through two business units – PMI International and PMI U.S. – supported by its wellness arm, Aspeya.

PMI said the restructure replaces its four-region model with three reportable segments and will “enhance agility” and “equip the company for the future,” according to CEO Jacek Olczak. In the U.S., CEO Stacey Kennedy will oversee growth in nicotine pouches and the IQOS heated tobacco portfolio, while Frédéric de Wilde will lead PMI International, managing smoke-free expansion outside the U.S.

Source: Asian Trader, 5 November 2025

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


** Written Answers

Asked by Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative, Thirsk and Malton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to introduce a ban on (a) vaping and (b) smoking outside (i) pubs, (ii) restaurants and (iii) nightclubs.

Answered by Ashley Dalton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care), Labour, West Lancashire

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill allows the Government to expand current indoor smoking restrictions to outdoor public places and workplaces via secondary legislation. The bill also gives the Government powers to make most public places and workplaces that are smoke-free also vape-free. Exactly which settings should become smoke-free and vape-free will be subject to a full consultation. However, we are not considering extending smoke-free or vape-free places to outdoor hospitality settings, such as outside pubs, restaurants, and nightclubs.
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** Asked by Kevin Hollinrake, Conservative, Thirsk and Malton

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has considered (a) banning vaping in pubs, (b) banning 16 and 17 year olds from buying zero alcohol drinks in pubs and (c) raising the drink drive limit to support the economic viability of pubs.

Answered by Kate Dearden, Labour, Halifax
The Department for Business and Trade is not responsible for bans on vaping in pubs, restrictions on zero-alcohol drinks for 16–17-year-olds, or changes to drink-drive limits. These matters fall under the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department for Transport

DHSC advises that while vapes are less harmful than smoking, they are not risk-free and plans to consult on making most indoor settings vape-free. Many pubs already prohibit vaping voluntarily. In Fit for the Future: 10 Year Health Plan for England, the Government committed to explore prohibiting sales of no- and low-alcohol drinks to under-18s including prohibiting sales to individuals under the age of 18 years old. This policy is being pursued as these alcohol substitute drinks are intended for consumption by adults. DHSC Officials are scoping details and will update stakeholders in due course.

This Government takes road safety seriously. We are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads. In 2023 there were 1,624 people killed on GB roads. There were an estimated 260 people killed in collisions involving drink driving, accounting for 16% of total fatalities in 2023. Given the significant casualties caused by drink driving, we have no plans to increase the drink drive limit.
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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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