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Imperial enters nicotine pouch market with Zone range
Imperial Brands is introducing a new line of ‘Zone’ nicotine pouches to the UK. The company has forecasted high demand, as they claim the nicotine pouch sector is due to grow by 234% over the next five years. Research quoted in the article claims that 42% of existing users intend to increase their pouch consumption. Imperial has positioned the launch to appeal to consumers and offer retailers a product with growth potential.
Source: Better Retailing, 17 November 2025
Editorial note: This article has been included to provide insight into market trends and industry developments.
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ERS highlights need for stronger action as UK generational tobacco ban progresses
The European Respiratory Society (ERS) is pressing European governments to adopt tougher tobacco control measures ahead of COP11, pointing to new analysis showing that an age-based prohibition on tobacco sales is legally feasible for any EU member state. The society stresses that the upcoming conference provides an opportunity for policymakers to move from evidence gathering to meaningful intervention, arguing that long-term public health protection requires more ambitious “endgame” strategies like the UK’s smokefree generation rather than incremental steps.
Caroline Cerny from ASH emphasises that while the UK’s proposed lifetime sales restriction represents a major milestone, it must be supported by a clearer strategy with defined goals to create a smokefree generation. Cerny also highlighted the importance of UK measures to protect children from vapes, while ensuring they are available as a quit aid for adults who smoke.
Source: Independent Nurse, 18 November 2025
See also: ERS - Adoption of Tobacco Endgame Policies in the EU: Can Member States introduce a generational sales ban? | ERS offers EU Member States a clear pathway to introducing a generational sales ban on tobacco
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Irish Government to ban the sale of nicotine pouches to youths and prohibit disposable vapes
The Irish Government is set to introduce tighter controls on nicotine products, including a ban on sales of nicotine pouches to under-18s and a planned prohibition on disposable vapes. Amendments to the Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Product Bill will extend current advertising and display restrictions to these products, limit their colours, and regulate point-of-sale promotions.
The measures aim to address concerns that nicotine pouches, which contain nicotine and flavourings, are more accessible to young people than traditional tobacco. The proposed vape ban would take effect six months after the legislation comes into force.
Source: The Irish Examiner, 18 November 2025
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Reporter faces abuse from tobacco industry at COP11
During the opening day of COP11 in Geneva, a journalist from O Joio e O Trigo experienced repeated interference from representatives of the tobacco industry. While covering the arrival of delegations, the reporter was obstructed by parliamentarians and industry-linked media attempting to access the conference, despite being barred from participating under the treaty’s rules.
A press officer from SindiTabaco even tried to disable the reporter’s recording equipment. Incidents included confrontations with Brazilian politicians and industry-sponsored influencers, who monitored and filmed the journalist throughout.
The reporter reached out to conference organisers and NGOs to secure protection. The event, held every two years, reviews progress on the WHO’s global tobacco control treaty and excludes tobacco industry participation from formal discussions.
Source: O Joio e O Trigo, 17 November 2025
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International rise of drug-laced vapes poses potential risk to the UK
Authorities have flagged a growing international trend of vapes containing etomidate, a sedative with dissociative effects, which can endanger users’ health. While currently rare in the UK, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs warns that limited testing of imported e-liquids means the prevalence of etomidate use is likely underestimated. The Council are urging the government to classify etomidate as a Class C drug, expand testing of vape products, and launch public awareness campaigns to highlight the associated health risks.
Source: Metro, 17 November 2025
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Committee Stage (6th Day) of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill
Transcript from the sixth day of Committee stage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
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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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