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Scottish Grocers Federation opposes proposed vape display restrictions
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has raised concerns over proposals in the UK Government’s consultation on the packaging, appearance and display of tobacco and vaping products that would require vaping products to be kept out of sight in shops. SGF said it supports measures to reduce youth vaping but argues that the restrictions could make legal products less convenient to buy while creating opportunities for illicit sellers.
The SGF plans to submit its own response to the consultation.
Source: Asian Trader, 16 September 2026
Editorial note: Scottish Grocers’ Federation are funded by retail and corporate membership. As of July 2024, SGF listed four tobacco companies as corporate members, while JUUL Labs and the UK Vaping Industry Association were also listed as members. For more information, see the Tobacco Tactics page on Scottish Grocers Federation.
The tobacco and vape industries are campaigning hard against the proposals in the consultation. ASH is calling on everyone in the public health community to submit a supportive response to the consultation and encourage colleagues to do so. It only takes 5 mins to respond. We've created a short guide to help people respond here.
See also: Open consultation – Tobacco and vapes: packaging, appearance and display | ASH – Guidance on responding to the consultation
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Bedford businesses closed over illegal tobacco sales
Bedford Borough Council’s Trading Standards team has secured two-month Closure Orders against two town centre businesses involved in the supply and distribution of illegal tobacco, following a joint operation with Bedfordshire Police. The orders were served on 5 August and granted by Luton Magistrates’ Court the following day.
The council said the action followed repeated interventions involving Trading Standards, HMRC and Bedfordshire Police, with illegal activity continuing despite previous measures. It is the seventh Closure Order obtained by the council in Bedford Borough over the past 18 months.
Source: Asian Trader, 16 September 2026
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Smoke Free Sweden urges response to proposed vape restrictions
Smoke Free Sweden is urging doctors, retailers, policymakers and people who use vapes to respond to the UK Government’s consultation on proposed restrictions on vaping products. The organisation’s leader, Dr Delon Human, argues that the proposals are a step back in public health, and refers to an ASH survey suggesting that if flavours were restricted, 15% of vapers believe they would to smoke more, while 14% expect to turn to the illegal market.
The organisation is encouraging people to respond to the consultation, which closes on 2 October 2026.
Source: Planet of the Vapes, 17 September 2026
Editorial note: The ASH survey cited asked how those who currently vape would respond to a hypothetical ban on flavours that limited the options to tobacco, menthol and mint. This is not what the Government consultation is proposing. The consultation proposes restrictions on flavour descriptors considered particularly appealing to children and young people, rather than removing or restricting flavours themselves.
See also: Use of vapes and other novel tobacco and nicotine products among adults in Great Britain - ASH
Smoke Free Sweden was established by Health Diplomats, a consultancy run by Delon Human, a doctor who has collaborated with BAT on its “tobacco harm reduction” activities. Smoke Free Sweden has regularly lobbied for less stringent regulation of newer nicotine and tobacco products. See Tobacco Tactics webpage for more information.
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Peers propose restrictions on gambling advertising
A cross-party group of peers has recommended a near-total ban on gambling advertising in the UK, with exceptions for the National Lottery and racecourses. A House of Lords report argues that tighter controls could reduce harms associated with gambling, including financial difficulties and relationship problems. It acknowledges that the gambling industry could become smaller as a result, but argues that spending could be redirected elsewhere in the economy.
The Betting and Gaming Council has criticised the proposal, arguing that a blanket ban could disadvantage licensed operators while leaving illegal gambling businesses able to advertise. The report's authors acknowledged concerns about the illicit market but argued that this should not prevent action to address harms associated with the regulated sector. The industry has pointed to measures already introduced voluntarily, including restrictions on advertising during live televised sporting events.
Source: The Guardian, 17 September 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.
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Van Tulleken urges supermarkets to push for stronger food regulation
Ultra-processed food campaigner Chris van Tulleken has called on supermarket leaders to work together to encourage stronger action on unhealthy food, arguing that major retailers have significant influence over food manufacturers. Speaking at The Grocer’s Health Summit, he suggested that supermarkets could collectively support measures including extending the sugary drinks tax to other packaged foods and introducing mandatory health warning labels.
Van Tulleken also criticised the food industry’s lobbying against health measures, while the Food and Drink Federation said manufacturers had invested heavily in reformulation and supported plans for mandatory health reporting.
Source: The Grocer, 16 September 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.
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Study identifies key life stages for breast cancer prevention efforts
A new study of more than 110,000 women from the Breast Cancer Now Generations Study has examined how lifestyle factors linked to breast cancer risk change throughout life. Researchers from Imperial College London and The Institute of Cancer Research found that alcohol consumption, smoking and physical activity peaked in late adolescence, while body fat increased throughout adulthood and reached its highest levels in the late 60s.
The researchers said the findings could help inform more targeted public health strategies at different stages of life. They identified adolescence and early adulthood as potential opportunities to encourage physical activity and prevent rapid weight gain, while early to mid-adulthood, from around the 30s to 50s, could be a key period for addressing increasing BMI and alcohol consumption. The research was funded by Breast Cancer Now.
Source: ITV News, 17 September 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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