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UK generational smoking ban faces EU legal scrutiny
The UK’s proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill has been submitted for review under the EU Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS), giving member states three months to review the legislation and raise objections. This is the result of at least one EU member state raising concerns about the Bill. The standstill period continues until 18 February, during which time the legislation cannot be adopted.
A government spokesperson stated that the bill is not blocked or delayed and that they expect it to apply across the whole UK.
Source: Guido Fawkes, 11 November 2025
Editorial note: A recent report published by the European Respiratory Society concluded that a smokefree generation law would be legal for an EU member state to introduce. For more information see the European Respiratory Society report.
The Northern Irish Assembly approved the Legislative Consent Motion for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in February, meaning that the Bill will also apply in Northern Ireland once it is passed into law.
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Hundreds arrested and millions of illegal tobacco and vape products seized in nationwide raids targeting high street crime
A month-long operation led by the National Crime Agency has resulted in more than 900 arrests following coordinated raids on thousands of High Street shops, including convenience stores, vape outlets and takeaways. The crackdown, described as the largest of its kind, uncovered millions of pounds’ worth of illicit tobacco, vapes, cash and cannabis, with more than £10m in criminal assets seized.
Authorities issued hundreds of notices for illegal working and property rental, while over 450 registered companies were referred to regulators for further scrutiny. The investigation followed BBC reports exposing organised crime groups exploiting retail businesses to launder money and enable illegal employment.
Politicians and enforcement bodies are calling for tougher laws and stronger powers to shut down offending shops, warning that criminal operations are harming local communities and legitimate retailers.
Source: BBC News, 11 November 2025
See also: Operation Machinize 2: Thousands of businesses targeted in coordinated crackdown on high street crime - National Crime Agency | Police crackdown on illegal vape and tobacco shops nets £10.7m - The Times
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Bolton records lowest adult smoking rate on record
New figures from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities show that smoking among adults in Bolton has fallen to its lowest recorded level, with just over one in ten residents now identifying as smokers. The rate has dropped sharply from the previous year, aligning the borough more closely with regional and national averages.
Bolton Council has invested more than £400,000 of government funding into local stop smoking services for 2025–26, part of a wider £70m national programme to reduce tobacco use. Public health officials say the improvement reflects effective local interventions but stress that further work is needed to address higher smoking rates in deprived areas.
Source: The Bolton News, 11 November 2025
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Bookmaker under scrutiny after error exposes possible offshore betting links
A major UK bookmaker is facing potential investigation after accidentally disclosing internal documents that appeared to show financial ties to offshore gambling entities. The Gambling Commission reportedly discovered the information, which was hidden in white text within a file, during a routine regulatory review.
This has raised concerns that the company may have channelled high-spending customers to unlicensed overseas platforms to avoid tax and regulatory checks. Such practices could breach gambling laws and result in the loss of personal and corporate licences, as well as scrutiny from HMRC and police.
The bookmaker, which sponsors major sporting events, has denied any involvement in offshore betting. The Gambling Commission is said to be reviewing further financial data to determine the extent of the alleged connections.
Source: The Guardian, 11 November 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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Nicotine researcher received undisclosed payments from vaping industry
Greek cardiologist Konstantinos Farsalinos, an influential nicotine researcher, received €7,000 from e-cigarette company Juul in 2018 through an offshore company he co-owns in Cyprus. The payment, arranged as an “honorarium,” was not disclosed in subsequent academic papers or public statements.
Documents disclosed as part of legal action against Juul in the US show Farsalinos requested the payment while participating in a regulatory hearing in Israel opposing a ban on high-nicotine e-cigarettes. He also asked for a potential full-time salary of €300,000 per year or €200,000 via his company for continued advocacy and academic work, though no employment offer was confirmed.
Investigations are underway by academic publishers Elsevier, Springer Nature, and MDPI over Farsalinos’ failure to disclose the Juul payment in his research publications.
Farsalinos denies conflict of interest, stating he did not represent Juul and participated as an independent expert in the meeting, and has no ongoing relationship with the company. He said that the compensation was to cover his costs and time.
Source: Le Monde, 11 November 2025
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Australia: NSW landlords face jail over tenants selling illegal tobacco and vapes
The New South Wales government is set to introduce new laws holding commercial landlords responsible if they knowingly allow tenants to sell illicit tobacco or unapproved vapes. Those found guilty could face fines of up to $165,000, a year in prison, or both. The reforms follow the closure of two Sydney stores under recently strengthened enforcement powers aimed at curbing the state’s illicit market.
Landlords will be required to report or evict offending tenants, while possession of large quantities of illegal tobacco could attract penalties exceeding $1.5m and up to seven years in jail. A new licensing system also makes it mandatory for retailers to display valid tobacco licences or face substantial fines. The government says the penalties have been developed in consultation with landlords, retailers and health advocates to ensure a fair approach.
NSW health minister, Ryan Park and NSW premier, Chris Minns have called on the federal government to lower the tobacco excise, arguing it has driven the surge in illicit trade. However, the federal treasurer rejected this, maintaining that reducing prices would not be an appropriate solution.
Source: The Guardian, 10 November 2025
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Written answer
Asked by Helen Maguire, Liberal Democrat, Epsom and Ewell
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the relationship between deprivation and lung cancer diagnosis.
Answered by Ashley Dalton, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care), Labour, West Lancashire
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.
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.
See also: Question for Department of Health and Social Care, UIN 87599
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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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