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** 5 January 2026
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UK


** Long-term smoker urges others to seek help after quitting (#1)
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** Opinion: Vaping is less harmful than smoking but can still be difficult to quit (#2)
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** Nottingham parent confronts challenges of underage vaping (#3)
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** UK enforces new restrictions on junk food advertising to children (#4)
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** International
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** Guernsey vape shop criticises new marketing restrictions (#5)
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** Republic of Ireland: Inspections reveal continued sales of vapes to children (#6)
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** Indian cigarette makers slide after tax increase announced (#7)
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** Vietnam moves to outlaw e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (#8)
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** Opinion: Nicotine pouches provide limited relief for tobacco companies (#9)
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UK


** Long-term smoker urges others to seek help after quitting

A Wiltshire resident who smoked for more than five decades has shared her experience of giving up cigarettes to encourage others to access local support. After repeated failed attempts to quit independently, she succeeded following a health warning by using Wiltshire Council’s stop smoking service alongside the Smoke Free app and a vaping aid.

Several months on, she has reported noticeable improvements in her health and lifestyle, including better sleep, increased energy levels and greater physical activity. Wiltshire Council says her story highlights the benefits of professional support and is promoting its free 12-week stop smoking programme, which offers personalised guidance from health coaches and access to cessation tools for people who live or work in the county.

Source: Salisbury Journal, 4 January 2026
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** Opinion: Vaping is less harmful than smoking but can still be difficult to quit

In this opinion piece published in The Guardian, former science correspondent Linda Geddes discusses the growing prevalence of vaping in Great Britain and examines why many users struggle to stop. The piece highlights Office for National Statistics data showing that more adults now vape than smoke, and cites ASH figures indicating that 63% of young people mistakenly believe vaping is as harmful as, or more harmful than, smoking.

Martin Dockrell, previous tobacco evidence lead at OHID, states that vaping is far less harmful than smoking and that claims suggesting otherwise are often based on misunderstanding or misleading information. Jamie Hartmann Boyce, assistant professor of health policy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, notes that nicotine addiction combines physical dependence with learned behavioural habits, making quitting challenging. A recent Cochrane review co-authored by Hartman- Boyce suggests that text message based support may help some users, particularly teenagers and young adults, to quit vaping, and there was also tentative evidence for the use of varenicline.

The article highlights additional challenges for young people, who often begin vaping as their first exposure to nicotine. Dr Rachel Isba notes that some adolescents progress from vaping to smoking and that social pressures, peer influence, and using vapes to cope with anxiety are important factors. Her NHS pilot clinic encouraged teenagers to explore personal motivations for reducing or quitting vaping, rather than insisting on immediate abstinence.

Source: The Guardian, 3 January 2026

See also: New Data on Vaping Uncovers a Public Health Disconnect ([link removed]) - ASH | Vaping: what you need to know ([link removed]) - ASH | Butler AR, Lindson N, Livingstone-Banks J, et al. Interventions for quitting vaping ([link removed]) . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2025;1:CD016058. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD016058.pub2
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** Nottingham parent confronts challenges of underage vaping

This article centres on a Nottingham mother whose 12-year-old daughter was found to be regularly vaping at school. It explores her efforts to understand and address the behaviour, including discussions about health risks, limiting pocket money, and monitoring social interactions.

ASH Smokefree GB Youth Survey data revealed that in 2025, 20% of 11 to 17-year-olds in Great Britain had tried vaping, increasing from 18% in 2024.

Retailers report attempts by children as young as 10 to purchase products. In response, Nottingham City Council has launched a two-year £414,000 anti-vaping pilot combining school education and one-to-one support, working alongside Trading Standards to tackle illegal sales.

Source: BBC News, 5 January 2026

See also: Use of vapes (e-cigarettes) among young people in Great Britain ([link removed]) - ASH
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** UK enforces new restrictions on junk food advertising to children

New UK regulations have come into effect restricting advertising of high-fat, sugar and salt foods on television before 9pm and banning such promotion online. The changes follow voluntary industry compliance since October and are part of wider efforts to tackle childhood obesity.

However, companies are still allowed to run brand-focused campaigns that do not feature specific products. Campaigners warn this loophole could significantly reduce the effectiveness of the ban. High-profile promotions from well-known brands such as McDonald’s and Cadbury can still maintain visibility and appeal to children, potentially undermining the public health goal of the regulations. Anna Taylor of the Food Foundation described the move as a world-leading step in protecting children, but emphasised that this loophole could significantly weaken the bans impact.

The Food Foundation published a report in December has revealed that some companies have shifted advertising spend to outdoor media and other channels that remain largely unrestricted.

Source: The Guardian, 5 January 2026

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.

See also: The State of the Nation's Food Industry report 2025 ([link removed]) - Food Foundation
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** International
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** Guernsey vape shop criticises new marketing restrictions

A Guernsey vape retailer has criticised new regulations limiting the public display of vaping products and introducing a licensing scheme for sellers. Disposable vapes will be banned in Guernsey from January, and by March, shops must keep products out of public view. Specialist over-18 vape shops are exempt, provided items and prices are displayed internally.

The shop owner highlighted the perceived inconsistency with alcohol retailers, who can openly display their products, and expressed concern that the rules could make legal sales appear illicit. Authorities maintain the restrictions aim to reduce the visibility and attractiveness of vaping, particularly to young or vulnerable people, as part of wider harm-prevention measures.

Source: BBC News, 2 January 2026
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** Republic of Ireland: Inspections reveal continued sales of vapes to children

Inspections in Ireland have found that a significant number of vape retailers are still selling nicotine products to under-18s, despite a legal ban introduced in late 2023. The Health Service Executive’s National Environmental Health Service carried out the checks, using test purchases at 224 shops between January and October 2025. Of these, 51 retailers were caught selling vapes to minors, exposing them to fines of up to €4,000 and potential prison sentences.

The findings have added urgency to proposed legislation to remove disposable vapes from sale and tighten restrictions on flavours, packaging and marketing. While the Bill aims to reduce youth appeal and environmental impact, some lawmakers argue it should go further to prevent brightly coloured and sweetly flavoured products that continue to attract children.

Source: The Irish Times, 3 January 2026
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** Indian cigarette makers slide after tax increase announced

Shares in India’s leading tobacco companies fell sharply after the government introduced a higher excise duty on cigarettes, raising concerns about demand and profitability. The new levy, which varies by cigarette length and takes effect in early February, adds to existing indirect taxes and is expected to push up retail prices for smokers.

The tax increase forms part of broader government efforts to limit smoking through fiscal measures and health regulations, underscoring ongoing pressure on the sector.

Source: Reuters, 1 January 2026
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** Vietnam moves to outlaw e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products

Vietnam has introduced a nationwide ban on e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, introducing penalties for use and strict enforcement measures. The new rules, which came into force at the end of 2025, ban manufacturing, imports and consumption, with fines imposed on users as well as on property owners who allow these products on their premises.

The government has justified the measures by pointing to growing evidence of harm, including addiction and serious long-term health conditions, alongside a sharp rise in use among young people in recent years. Vietnam now joins a group of countries in Southeast Asia and beyond that have opted for outright bans, reflecting a broader regional and global trend towards tougher regulation of alternative nicotine products.

Source: Laotian Times, 5 January 2026

See also: Vaping: what you need to know ([link removed]) - ASH
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** Opinion: Nicotine pouches provide limited relief for tobacco companies

The growing popularity of nicotine pouches has given large tobacco groups an additional source of income as traditional cigarette consumption continues to fall. Products such as oral pouches are attracting younger users and benefiting from online visibility, helping companies like Philip Morris increase the share of revenue generated from smoke-free alternatives.

The longer-term outlook is uncertain. While US regulators have so far allowed sales, several European countries are moving towards restrictions or outright bans. Competition is also intensifying, with low barriers to entry encouraging new rivals and forcing established players to spend heavily on promotions, putting pressure on margins. As a result, nicotine pouches may offer only temporary support rather than a durable solution to the industry’s structural decline.

Source: Financial Times, 2 January 2026

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