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Stop Smoking, Feel Happier campaign brings free advice to Banbury Market
A public health outreach event offering free stop-smoking guidance will take place at Banbury Market this week as part of the Stop Smoking, Feel Happier campaign, run by the South East Smokefree Alliance. The session will include support from local public health teams. Visitors will be able to speak directly with advisors about free services available to help people stop smoking.
Dr Sarah Milne, who leads the Alliance, says the campaign highlights the link between quitting smoking and improved wellbeing and challenges the common misconception that smoking relieves stress. The Alliance’s mission is to make the region smokefree by 2030.
Source: Oxford Mail, 15 January 2025
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Influencer criticism prompts Co-op to withdraw vape promotions
Co-op has begun removing vape promotions from its stores following public criticism from entrepreneur and influencer Simon Squibb, who challenged the retailer’s decision to display discounted vaping products at the point of sale. After the issue was raised publicly, the retailer said the in-store signage did not meet its internal standards and confirmed it was being removed.
The controversy comes amid growing concern about the visibility of vaping products to young people. Data from Action on Smoking and Health indicates a significant increase in awareness of vape promotion among 11 to 17-year-olds in recent years, largely linked to exposure in shops. The charity reports that awareness rose sharply after 2022, even as wider advertising restrictions have tightened.
The article also notes that forthcoming legislation under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill is expected to restrict the display of vaping products in most retail environments, reflecting wider efforts to reduce youth exposure while regulating the sector more tightly.
Source: The Grocer, 12 January 2026
See also: ASH - Use of vapes among young people in Great Britain | The Tobacco and Vapes Bill
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California’s school-based tobacco prevention program linked to reduced youth smoking and vaping
A University of California San Diego study has found that California’s Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) program is associated with lower tobacco and vaping use among middle and high school students. Analysing data from more than 160,000 students across 358 schools, the study found that students in TUPE-funded schools were 20% less likely to use tobacco overall (6.5% vs. 8.1%) and 23% less likely to vape (5.4% vs. 7.0%) than students in non-funded schools. The associations remained significant even after accounting for grade, region, race, parental education, mental health, and household tobacco exposure.
TUPE funding, expanded following the 2016 tax increase on tobacco and vaping products, enabled schools to provide more intensive prevention education.
Researchers emphasise that while school programs complement broader policy and media campaigns, sustained investment in TUPE-style education can produce measurable reductions in youth tobacco and vaping use.
Source: News Medical, 12 January 2026
See also: Zhu, S.-H., et al. (2026). California’s School-Based Tobacco Use Prevention Program After Proposition 56: Results From a Statewide Evaluation. Journal of Adolescent Health.
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Somali parliament approves national tobacco control framework in historic public health vote
Somalia’s lower house of parliament has overwhelmingly passed a national tobacco control framework, marking a significant step in the country’s public health efforts. The vote saw 139 lawmakers in favour, three abstentions and no opposition, demonstrating broad political support for stronger regulation of tobacco products, including shisha.
The legislation aims to curb rising tobacco use, particularly among urban youth, by setting clear rules on tobacco consumption, advertising and access.
Source: Hiiraan, 12 January 2026
See also: The Eastleigh Voice - Somali parliament approves strict tobacco regulations amid rising health concerns
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Turkey to tighten smoking rules and expand cessation support
Turkey plans to expand indoor smoking bans and increase access to cessation clinics and mobile outreach, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu announced. The measures build on existing controls, including plain packaging, advertising limits, and e-cigarette restrictions, as over 25% of the population still smokes.
Source: Tobacco Reporter, 13 January 2026
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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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