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Lung screening programme reaches tens of thousands across South Yorkshire
A regional lung cancer screening initiative in South Yorkshire has now offered checks to almost 80,000 current and former smokers aged between 55 and 74, marking a major milestone in early cancer detection. Running since 2019 across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw, the programme uses health assessments and follow-up CT scans to identify people at higher risk.
More than 34,000 participants were referred for scans, leading to the discovery of over 800 cancers, the majority of which were lung-related. Crucially, most lung cancers were found at an early stage, when treatment outcomes are significantly improved. The initiative has also supported smoking cessation, with more than a thousand participants quitting after taking part.
Source: BBC News, 6 February 2026
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Students lead approach to addressing youth vaping in Derbyshire school
A secondary school in Swadlincote has introduced a student-led strategy to address vaping among pupils. Supported by Derbyshire County Council’s pilot scheme, the initiative encourages older students to educate their peers through assemblies and classroom sessions, alongside clearer warning signs around the school. Early signs suggest vaping incidents have declined since the project began, with pupils describing the peer-to-peer model as more effective and supportive.
Source: BBC News, 5 February 2026
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Dentist on Tik Tok says there are oral warning signs linked to vaping
A dentist on Tik Tok has claimed that vaping can cause noticeable changes in the mouth. She says that vaping causes discolouration along the teeth and gums, reduced saliva leading to persistent dryness, and inflammation of the gums.
Source: The Sun, 5 February 2026
Editorial note: A recent systematic review found that whilst vaping had some impact on periodontal health, tobacco smoking causes worse periodontal outcomes than vaping.
See also: British Society of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry – Is vaping harmful to oral health?
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TV psychiatrist shares method to help people give up vaping on Tik Tok
The article centres on claims from a US TV psychiatrist made in a Tik Tok video, who says that he recommends a gradual reduction approach to stopping vaping. He also claims that a supplement called N-acetyl cysteine can decrease cravings.
Source: Daily Record, 4 February 2026
Editorial note: Whilst some evidence shows N-acetyl cysteine may aid smoking cessation there is no conclusive evidence on this.
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The Grocer category report on tobacco and vapes
In this article in the Grocer, accompanying their new category report on tobacco and vapes, discusses the illicit tobacco and vaping market, and the government and tobacco industry response. The article quotes data from the 2025 KPMG report commissioned by tobacco company Philip Morris International and also cites Japan Tobacco International research.
The article also discusses the disposable vapes ban and cites a survey by vape brand ElfBar that claims that seven months after the ban 29% of people who vape purchased illegal vapes.
The article concludes that The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will address the issue by introducing a licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes, as well as the £10 million funding boost to Trading Standards this year.
Source: Grocer, 5 February 2026
Editorial note: This article claims that high tobacco prices may drive the illicit market. Tobacco taxes are considered the single most effective way to reduce smoking rates according to the World Bank and WHO. In the UK, tobacco taxes – combined with a comprehensive anti-smuggling strategy – have been highly effective at reducing both smoking prevalence and the illicit trade in tobacco.
The article cites data from the Philip Morris-funded KPMG reports on the illicit tobacco trade. These reports have been criticised by independent experts for consistently overestimating levels of illicit cigarettes, being over reliant on unvalidated tobacco industry information, being insufficiently transparent and misrepresenting both the findings and pre-existing data.
See also: ASH Webpage – Illicit tobacco: facts, trends, and industry tactics
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STOP report – Complicit in Illicit? Tobacco Industry Tactics in the Philippines
This report highlights evidence from the Philippines that tobacco taxes are not the primary driver of illicit trade, as the tobacco industry alleges, and highlights evidence that the industry itself may be complicit in the illicit trade.
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Cancer Research UK Blog – A turning point for cancer? Breaking down the National Cancer Plan for England
In this blog, Matt Sample, Health Policy Manager at CRUK, discusses the Government’s National Cancer Plan published earlier this week. The blog explains what is included in the National Cancer Plan, and what more needs to be done.
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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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