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** 21 April 2021
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** UK
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** Comment: Are we ready to achieve a smoke free future? (#1)
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** MHCLG says no plans to extend COVID-19 financial support beyond June (#2)
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** International
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** Tobacco shares slide on renewed debate over US cigarette rules (#3)
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** UK
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** Dr Sharon Cox, Senior Research Fellow at University College London Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group, writes in the British Medical Journal on the inequalities that will need to be addressed before we can achieve a smokefree future. The recent Marmot review update points out that "our poorest and most socially disadvantaged communities have suffered the most from austerity, and tobacco-related disease contributes to extensive morbidity and mortality within these areas" Dr Cox says, adding that COVID-19 will have exacerbated these inequalities.
Dr Cox also notes that a new tobacco control plan for England is due to be published this Summer and that much of its focus will be on achieving the smokefree generation ambition, where 5% or less of the population smoke. However, there is very little time to achieve the reduction in prevalence needed among the general population and for "adults presenting with a serious mental illness, homelessness, or substance dependence" where smoking rates are up to four times higher than the general population, the challenge is even more staggering.
Dr Cox makes several recommendations that could help us overcome these inequalities and achieve a smokefree future for all:
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** First, by breaking "the myth that smoking is good for stress and improves mood" to ensure we don't leave behind "those smokers who are perceived as needing to smoke for their mental wellbeing." Dr Cox points out that "the most recent Cochrane review of the literature, shows mental health does not worsen as a result of quitting smoking, and in fact wellbeing as measured by stress, quality of life, and positive affect is improved."
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** Second, by offering "support wherever smokers access public services." Dr Cox says "there are several studies which have embedded support within services, and as large cuts to local authority stop smoking services continue, this is an adaption that needs to be accelerated."
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** Third, by making "harm reduction alternatives available and free" especially e-cigarettes which a recent Cochrane Review suggests "are effective in helping people to stop smoking over and above behavioural support and licensed nicotine replacement therapy."
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** Fourth, by offering people choice in stop smoking aids. Dr Cox notes that "e-cigarettes, while popular, are not a panacea, and do not suit everyone; equally, traditional methods may meet resistance from smokers who have tried them in the past." She adds that "offering something is always better than nothing."
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** Finally, by routinely screening for smoking. Dr Cox says we "need to screen so you can then offer support" and so that we are able to measure progress in addressing smoking rates and inequalities in them.
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** Source: BMJ, 20 April 2021
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Read Article ([link removed])
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** The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has no current plans to extend its COVID-19 financial support for councils beyond June, its permanent secretary has said. In this year’s Budget, MHCLG was allocated £9.1bn for local government COVID-19 funding in 2021-22.
Jeremy Pocklington, MHCLG Permanent Secretary, confirmed to the Commons housing, communities and local government committee yesterday, Tuesday 20th April, that the ministry had provided £1.55bn for councils in unringfenced COVID-19 grants for 2021-22 and extended the sales, fees and charges income compensation scheme to the end of June.
Mr Pocklington said “We haven't got any plans to extend our support beyond this quarter, but it is obviously something that we will need to keep under a continuous review through this financial year. And if necessary, we will want to look again at our at our plans. But we do hope that if we can make progress tackling COVID we can move on to focus on some of our wider agendas as well, such as our support on local growth or levelling up and continue our efforts to deliver some of our big housing programmes as well.”
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** Source: Local Government Chronicle, 20 April 2021
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** International
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** Tobacco stocks have taken a hit following yesterday's reports (Tuesday 20th April) that Joe Biden’s administration is considering forcing companies to strip cigarettes of nicotine and imposing a ban on menthol products in the US.
Shares in UK groups British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands fell roughly 6% on Tuesday 20th April, mirroring a similar slide for US based Marlboro producer Altria following a report in The Wall Street Journal that stated Biden’s administration was “considering” new rules. Philip Morris International, which does not sell cigarettes in the US, was down just over 1% on the news.
The proposals, which have been around for years, have resurfaced as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) faces an April 29th deadline to respond to a citizens’ petition to ban menthol cigarettes, which make up roughly a third of sales in the country. However, analysts have played down the risk of new rules accelerating this change, partially as any potential legislation would take years to implement and be challenged by the tobacco industry. Adam Spielman, analyst at Citi, said the “threat” of any regulation was a “severe blow to tobacco” but added it was not clear whether Biden’s administration would implement the proposals.
Source: The Financial Times, 20 April 2021
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** See also: The Times - Plan to limit nicotine level cuts £6bn off tobacco firms ([link removed])
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