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** 24 July 2026
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** UK
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** Restore proposes reversing indoor smoking ban in pubs (#1)
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** International
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** Tobacco industry opposition over proposed Indonesia cigarette restrictions (#2) #1
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** Smoking linked to greater fatty liver risk in young adults (#3) #1
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** Links of the Week
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** King's Fund comment on new health minister/government social care plans (#4) #1
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** If Andy Burnham is looking to tax businesses that ‘do not make a positive contribution to society’, he should start with big tobacco (#5) #1
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** UK
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** Restore proposes reversing indoor smoking ban in pubs
The Restore political party has announced proposals to allow licensed premises to decide whether to operate designated indoor smoking rooms if elected to government. The package of hospitality policies also includes permitting supervised pubs to serve low-strength alcoholic drinks to 16 and 17-year-olds and reducing taxes on pubs, including business rates. The article references a 2024 poll showing 88% of the public back the ban, including 70% of smokers.
Matt Slocombe, policy adviser for Restore and a cider producer, said the measures would give landlords greater discretion over how pubs are run and could help support the sector. The policy announcement followed the Government's pledge to reduce business rates for hospitality businesses from April next year. The article also notes that indoor smoking has been prohibited in English pubs since 2007, following Scotland's ban in 2006, and states that public backing for the legislation remains high.
Source: Metro, 23 July 2026
See also: You Gov – Would Britons support an outdoor smoking ban? ([link removed]) | ASH – Briefing on a smokefree England ([link removed])
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** International
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** Tobacco industry opposition over proposed Indonesia cigarette restrictions
Indonesian tobacco manufacturers, farmers and supply chain representatives have criticised proposed government regulations that would introduce new restrictions on cigarettes and vape product. Planned measures include standardised packaging, limits on tar and nicotine levels, and a ban on additives, with the stated aim of reducing the appeal of tobacco products to young people.
Henry Najoan, chair of the Federation of Indonesian Cigarette Manufacturers, warned that the proposals could severely damage the country's tobacco sector, while industry organisations threatened public demonstrations if the regulations proceed. Edi Sutopo, chair of the Indonesian Tobacco Community Alliance, argued that the proposed product limits are incompatible with Indonesia's clove cigarette market, which dominates domestic sales, and highlighted the sector's contribution to employment, economic activity and government tax revenues.
Source: Reuters, 23 July 2026
Editorial note: This article has been included to provide insight into market trends and industry developments
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** Smoking linked to greater fatty liver risk in young adults
A large South Korean study has found that smoking is associated with a higher likelihood of developing fatty liver disease in adults aged 20 to 39. Researchers analysed health screening records from almost 3.5 million adults over an extended follow-up period and found that greater smoking intensity and longer smoking duration were linked to increased risk in both men and women, with particularly strong associations among women.
Professor Jee Yong-ho of the Institute of Advanced Biomedical Research at Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital said the findings highlight the value of encouraging smoking cessation early in adulthood to help protect liver health. Professor Jee Yong-ho added that future research will examine how smoking interacts with obesity, alcohol intake and other lifestyle factors, with the aim of improving early detection and prevention through routine health screening. The research was funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea and published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Source: Korea biomed, 23 July 2026
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** Links of the Week
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** King's Fund comment on new health minister/government social care plans
The King's Fund has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham's stated commitment to tackling social care, arguing that the issue should become the immediate priority for newly appointed Health and Social Care Secretary Yvette Cooper. Sarah Woolnough, Chief Executive of The King's Fund, said the Government has a clear opportunity to deliver long-awaited reforms, highlighting the impact that pressures in social care continue to have on NHS performance.
Sarah Woolnough also said the Government must progress wider health priorities alongside social care, including revitalising prevention, implementing the Health Bill, and delivering existing long-term strategies for the NHS, cancer services, infrastructure and the workforce. Sarah Woolnough added that greater devolution, with stronger links between health and wider factors such as housing and employment, could improve population health and reduce future demand on health services if effectively implemented.
Source: The King's Fund, 20 July 2026
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** If Andy Burnham is looking to tax businesses that ‘do not make a positive contribution to society’, he should start with big tobacco
In this ASH blog, public affairs lead Helen Duffy urges the Prime Minister Andy Burnham to target tobacco companies when looking to tax businesses that do not contribute to society. Duffy argues that specialist vape shops that support smoking cessation benefit local communities. Whereas tobacco companies create substantial social and economic costs through smoking-related illness, lost productivity, healthcare pressures and wider impacts. Duffy highlights modelling suggesting a levy on tobacco industry profits could generate significant funding for prevention and cessation services without increasing costs for consumers. She concludes that "it's right to crack down on shops that break the law and are involved in organised crime. However, if the Prime Minister is serious about asking harmful industries to contribute more, then big tobacco is the obvious choice.”
Source: Action on Smoking and Health, 23 July 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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