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** 13 October 2021
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** UK
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** IFS warns of another difficult year for local government (#1)
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** Public health nursing groups welcome the retention of chief nurse (#2)
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** Health funding in Swindon cut by a quarter in the last six years (#3)
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** International
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** US: FDA authorises first e-cigarette (#4)
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** Republic of Ireland: Change to the price of cigarettes confirmed in Budget 2022 (#5)
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** BAT pulls out of army-ruled Myanmar (#6)
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** UK
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**
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** The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned that the chancellor may have to implement cuts to some budgets over the next two years, and that a “difficult two years” for local government “could very easily become a difficult three.”

Ahead of this month’s spending review, the IFS has said that “an ever-growing NHS budget, top-ups needed elsewhere, and the billions of spending likely required to deliver on priorities such as net zero, levelling up and social care reform will eat into what is available.” Its analysis suggests the recent NHS funding settlement will not be enough, and the new health and social levy added to national insurance could have to more than double to 3.15% by the end of this decade.

The IFS also warned that if the recent NHS funding settlement is unable to deal with medium-term Covid pressures and the health budget is topped up by £5 billion in 2024−25 without an increase in the overall envelope, “unprotected” budgets - which include local government funding - would grow by less than 1% per year over the spending review period.

IFS director Paul Johnson said that “the combined effects of ever-growing spending on the NHS and an economy smaller than projected pre-pandemic mean [the chancellor] is still likely to be short of money to spend on many other public services.”

He added that “on central forecasts, there will be little or no scope to increase spending on things like local government, the justice system and further education, after a decade of sharp cuts.”

Source: LGA, 12 October 2021

See also: IFS - Spending Review 2021: plans, promises and predicaments ([link removed])
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** Professor Viv Bennett has retained her position as England’s most senior public health nurse in the wake of a major organisational shakeup. She has been appointed as chief public health nurse in the newly formed Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), a government unit based within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

OHID is one of two new organisations that have been created to replace Public Health England (PHE), alongside the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Professor Bennett had been the chief nurse at PHE since 2013. Her deputy – Professor Jamie Waterall – has also retained his role and is now deputy chief nurse at the OHID.

Public health nursing leaders have welcomed the appointment of Professor Bennett at OHID. Sharon White, chief executive of the School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA), said, “SAPHNA are delighted that Viv Bennet will retain her chief nurse status as she transfers across to OHID alongside the majority of her existing PHE team. This consistency, knowledge and experience in her leadership is of great importance as public health nurses continue to face the ongoing crisis of Covid 19 and its widening health inequalities.”

Source: Nursing Times, 12 October 2021
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** Public health funding per head in Swindon has been cut by a quarter over six years in real terms, analysis reveals. Health leaders and charities have urged the government to increase spending after figures showed England’s public health grant has fallen by around £1 billion in real terms since 2015-16.

This central funding is given to local authorities to deliver vital preventative and treatment services, such as help to stop smoking, children’s health services and sexual health clinics.

Analysis by the Health Foundation shows Swindon was allocated £10.2 million through the public health grant for 2021-22 – equating to around £50 for every resident under the age of 75. But this was 24% less than in 2015-16 when it received £65 per head in real terms. A similar cut of 24% per capita was made across England over this period, which the Health Foundation say is equivalent to a reduction of £1 billion in real terms.

The Health Foundation found funding for stop smoking services and tobacco control has been cut by about a third – the greatest real-terms fall. Funding for drug and alcohol services has been cut 17% in real terms, while sexual health services have seen real terms fall of 14%, with only child obesity services seeing an increase. It found that more deprived areas have disproportionately borne the brunt of the cut, despite people in these areas generally having poorer health.

Jo Bibby, director of health at the Health Foundation, said that the upcoming spending review presents an opportunity for the government to demonstrate it is serious about levelling up health.

Source: Swindon Advertiser, 13 October 2021

See also: The Health Foundation - Why greater investment in the public health grant should be a priority ([link removed])
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** International
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**
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** The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday (12th October) authorized e-cigarette products for the first time, allowing their sale by R.J. Reynolds, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco Plc (BAT). It cleared the company’s Vuse Solo e-cigarette and the accompanying cartridges to be used for refills. However, the agency denied marketing authorization for certain flavoured products submitted under unit R.J. Reynolds Vapor Co’s Vuse Solo brand for failing to demonstrate they would appropriately protect public health.

In September, the FDA delayed its decision on whether Juul and other major manufacturers, including BAT, can sell their products in the US, as it weighs the public health impact of the products. Data from a 2021 survey indicated that an estimated 2.06 million US middle and high school students use e-cigarettes, with Puff Bar, Vuse and Juul among the most popular brands.

Most users said they used flavoured products, with fruit, candy and desserts among the most common. The agency said the survey data reinforces its decision to authorize the tobacco-flavoured products as they are not as popular among the youth. The FDA also imposed strict digital, radio and television advertising restrictions on R.J. Reynolds.

Source: Daily Mail, 12 October 2021
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** A packet of cigarettes will now cost an extra 50 cents in the Republic of Ireland. The increase was announced yesterday (12 October) as part of Budget 2022. The excise duty on a packet of 20 cigarettes has been raised by that amount for the sixth year in a row. Smokers can now expect to pay €15 for a packet in the most popular price category.

There will be a pro-rata increase in other tobacco products. The increase is expected to be worth €56 million to the exchequer.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe described the increase as a way of supporting Ireland’s public health policy to reduce smoking in society.

Despite the continued increase of the tariff, Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) said the announcement fell short of what is required to tackle an upsurge in tobacco use among young people. The organisation had previously called for the price of a packet of cigarettes to rise to €20 by 2025, which is a €2 hike this year, and an excise tax on e-cigarette liquid of 6 cents.

Source: The Journal.ie, 12 October 2021
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**

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** British American Tobacco (BAT) announced on Tuesday (12 October) that it will suspend all activities in military-ruled Myanmar and withdraw by the end of the year, making it the latest Western firm to leave the country in turmoil since the February coup.

Since the coup, Myanmar has been in chaos, ending a decade of tentative democracy and economic reform that followed the end of a half-century of military rule in 2011 and years of crippling Western sanctions.

Many big companies in Myanmar initially expressed their commitment to the country in the weeks after the coup. However, a months-long army crackdown on strikes and protests and the killing of more than 1,000 civilians have forced many firms to rethink. BAT did not elaborate on the reason for its decision to pull out of the country.

Source: Reuters, 12 October 2021
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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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