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** 12 December 2025
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UK


** Government’s prevention ‘shift’ left behind by flat budgets (#1)
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** Vaping and tobacco industry representatives discuss shift in market since the disposable vapes ban (#6)
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** International
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** China’s tobacco industry hinders efforts to curb smoking (#2)
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** Mexico moves to impose prison sentences and fines on vape trade (#3)
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** How tobacco brands historically shaped the look of Formula 1 (#4)
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** AIR expands Al Fakher into smoke-free products (#5)
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** Parliamentary activity
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** Written answers (#7)
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** Links of the week
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** Department of Health release New Year 2025/26 Quit Smoking Resources (#8)
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** ASH blog: Cigar lounges: what I learnt visiting London’s ‘cigar mile’ (#9)
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** Welsh Government - Senedd backs measures to create a smoke-free generation and curb youth vaping (#10)
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UK


** Government’s prevention ‘shift’ left behind by flat budgets

Figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that the public health grant is set to rise only in line with inflation over the next three years, despite government commitments to prioritise prevention. The Health Foundation assistant director Jason Strelitz argues that this approach leaves the grant cut by a quarter since 2015/16 once population growth and inflation are taken into account. Strelitz welcomed the move to three-year allocations but stated that “the government’s proposed radical shift towards prevention [is] being left behind.” Another senior figure, who is unnamed, warns that broader local authority cuts may further weaken public health delivery, even if the grant itself is protected.

Source: Health Service Journal, 12 December 2025
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** Vaping and tobacco industry representatives discuss shift in market since the disposable vapes ban

In this article in Wholesale Manager, vaping and tobacco industry representatives discuss how the vape market has changed since the disposable vapes ban was introduced in June this year.

Source: Wholesale Manager, 11 December 2025
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** International
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** China’s tobacco industry hinders efforts to curb smoking

This article in The Economist discusses China’s high smoking rates, with 300million people in China smoking, and nearly half of all adult men. These figures have not declined much in recent years; Chinese tobacco consumption has only declined by 4% since 2000, compared to 13% globally, and smoking accounts for 23% of annual deaths in China. There have been some regulations; tobacco advertisements were banned from public transport and billboards in 2015, and smoking reduction targets have been set.

Despite these regulations, the state-owned tobacco company China National Tobacco benefits from cheap (the most inexpensive pack costs the equivalent to $2), widely available cigarettes and exerts strong influence over pricing and regulation, limiting the impact of public-health initiatives.

Source: The Economist, 11 December 2025
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** Mexico moves to impose prison sentences and fines on vape trade

Mexico’s Senate has approved prison sentences of up to eight years and fines for producing or selling vaping products. Although sales would be heavily penalised, personal use is not banned, and the products remain widely available while authorities develop enforcement plans.

Source: Reuters, 12 December 2025
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** How tobacco brands historically shaped the look of Formula 1

In this article NSS Sports look back at the prominence of tobacco branding in motorsport. Beginning in the late 1960s, tobacco sponsors replaced traditional national colours with designs around brand imagery. Despite tightening restrictions on tobacco promotion, Formula 1 and MotoGP had exemptions that allowed teams to secure funding from cigarette manufacturers. When tobacco branding was banned in the EU in 2005, the industry adapted with disguised branding and shifted sponsorships to areas with looser rules. Although direct sponsorship has ended, the distinctive colour schemes established by cigarette brands remain.

Source: NSS sports, 10th December 2025
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** AIR expands Al Fakher into smoke-free products

Al Fakher’s parent company, Advanced Inhalation Rituals (AIR), is reshaping its business to grow beyond traditional shisha by introducing pod-based vapes, nicotine pouches and other smoke-free products under a new holding structure. The company plans to launch pouches inspired by its shisha flavours in early 2026, followed by a reusable pod system later in the year.

Source: Global Travel Retail Magazine, 12 December 2025

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

Asked by Bob Blackman, Conservative, Harrow East

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance he plans to issue to local Trading Standards teams on identifying high-capacity non-compliant disposable vapes under the powers created by the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Answered by Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Labour, West Lancashire

It has been illegal for businesses to sell or supply single-use vapes since 1 June 2025. The Government is investing £10 million of new funding in Trading Standards in 2025/26, to support the enforcement of illicit and underage tobacco and vape sales. As part of this package, we have provided training to over 760 Trading Standards officers on the single-use vapes ban, ensuring they have a strong understanding of the regulations and are confident in enforcing them.

Through this programme, we are also funding the Vaping Expert Panel, which provides guidance to Trading Standards officers on vaping products to support the consistent enforcement of regulations. The panel has published 20 pieces of guidance, and Trading Standards officers are able to contact the panel if they would like further clarification or advice.

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** Asked by Bob Blackman, Conservative, Harrow East

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he will publish a timetable for introducing product-verification checks under the new vape registration scheme, in order to assist Trading Standards in identifying non-compliant high-capacity devices at point of sale.

Answered by Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Labour, West Lancashire

Powers in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill allow us to establish a new product registration scheme for tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products. On 8 October 2025, we published a call for evidence on a number of topics related to tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products. This includes the proposal to introduce a new product registration scheme.

In the call for evidence, we are seeking information on how best to implement the registration scheme. The evidence gathered will inform development of policy and a subsequent consultation next year.
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** Asked by Bob Blackman, Conservative, Harrow East

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the forthcoming testing regime for vaping products will require imported liquids to undergo the same emissions and ingredient analysis as UK-made liquids before being placed on the UK market.

Answered by Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Labour, West Lancashire

Powers in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill allow us to establish a new product registration scheme for tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products, including testing requirements.

On 8 October 2025, we published a call for evidence on a number of topics related to tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products, including the proposal to introduce a new product registration scheme. The evidence gathered will inform development of policy and a subsequent consultation next year.

Any new testing requirements introduced following consultation will apply to products produced in the United Kingdom and those imported into the UK.
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** Asked by Bob Blackman, Conservative, Harrow East

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the level of resources required by the MHRA to implement the new registration and testing regime for vaping products established under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

Answered by Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Labour, West Lancashire

No assessment has yet been made as the registration scheme is still in the early stages of policy development. On 8 October 2025, we published a call for evidence on a number of topics related to tobacco, vaping and nicotine products, including the proposal to introduce a new product registration scheme.

However, given the nature of vaping products, which are not healthcare products, officials from the Department and the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) are considering whether OPSS would be better placed to oversee the future register. The Department and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency will continue to be responsible for the current notification systems until further notice.

Powers in the bill will allow us to charge a fee for the ongoing and continuous registration of products. Exact details on fees, as well as the future registration scheme, will be subject to future consultation.
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** Asked by Dr Caroline Johnson, Conservative, Sleaford and North Hykeham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 1 December 2025 to Question 93572, what steps he is taking to protect NHS staff from second hand vape.

Answered by Ashley Dalton, Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Labour, West Lancashire

National Health Service trusts have a duty of care to both staff and patients, as outlined in the NHS constitution, to ensure a safe working and care environment.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will also give the Government powers to make public places and workplaces that are smoke-free also vape-free. This includes National Health Service settings. Many places already have voluntary vape-free restrictions in place. Exactly which settings should become vape-free, along with the scope and detail of the regulations, will be a matter for secondary legislation and will be subject to a consultation.
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** Links of the week
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** Department of Health release New Year 2025/26 Quit Smoking Resources

The Department of Health has released social media and digital screen assets to encourage and support people to quit smoking in the New Year.
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** ASH blog: Cigar lounges: what I learnt visiting London’s ‘cigar mile’

In this blog, ASH’s Public Affairs Lead Helen Duffy discusses what it was like to visit London’s cigar lounges, and how the cigar lounge ‘sampling’ loophole in smokefree legislation is being exploited.

Source: ASH, 8 December 2025
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** Welsh Government - Senedd backs measures to create a smoke-free generation and curb youth vaping

The Welsh Government has voted to pass the legislative consent motion for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. This means that all devolved nations have voted for the Bill to apply across the UK.
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** Source: Welsh Government, 9 December 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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