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MPs criticised for accepting hospitality from gambling company
Two MPs, James Frith and Caroline Nokes, have faced scrutiny for accepting high-value hospitality tickets from a betting company to attend the World Darts Championships. The gifts, worth up to £1,000 each, raise concerns about potential conflicts of interest, particularly given their roles in debates around gambling regulation.
Frith, a Labour MP who has previously campaigned against gambling harms, received hospitality from Paddy Power, despite sitting on a committee that oversees gambling legislation. Nokes, a Conservative MP, has opposed stricter gambling regulations in the past and also accepted similar hospitality. Both MPs defended their attendance, citing the event’s partnership with Prostate Cancer UK as a charitable cause.
Critics argue that freebies from gambling companies undermine trust and could influence policymaking. This incident is part of a broader debate on MPs accepting gifts and hospitality, with the gambling sector being a significant contributor to such benefits. Campaigners warn these practices may enable undue influence and highlight the gambling industry’s links to serious harms, including deaths caused by problem gambling.
Source: The Guardian, 28th January 2025
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Bradford: Call to expose businesses selling illegal tobacco and vapes
Councillors in Bradford have been encouraged to publicly identify businesses prosecuted for selling illegal tobacco or vapes, as fines alone often fail to deter offenders. West Yorkshire Trading Standards reported that some businesses conceal illicit stock using sophisticated methods, such as hidden compartments operated by mobile technology, making enforcement more challenging.
Addressing the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes to children, councillors suggested wider publicity of prosecutions to deter others. Trading Standards already publishes convictions online and urged councillors to share this information locally to further discourage criminal activity.
Source: BBC News, 25 January 2025
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Canada: Flavoured vapes key to smoking cessation, study finds
A Canadian study of 1,771 adults found that one in five used nicotine vaping products (NVPs) during their latest quit attempt, with most favouring fruit flavours. However, 68% relied on flavours that could be banned under proposed Health Canada regulations.
The study, published by the Public Health Agency of Canada, emphasised the importance of flavoured NVPs in helping smokers quit, cautioning against flavour bans that could hinder cessation efforts. Researchers called for stronger age restrictions and evidence-based policies to balance youth prevention with adult quit support.
With 1.9 million Canadians vaping instead of smoking, the findings highlight flavoured vapes as crucial to achieving Canada’s goal of a 5% smoking rate by 2035.
Source: Yahoo, 27 January 2025
See also: Use of nicotine vaping products during an attempt to quit smoking by Canadian adults who smoke or recently quit, HCPCD Journal
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Parliamentary Written Answer
Asked by David Taylor, Labour, Hemel Hempstead
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to continue to fund the swap to stop smoking scheme.
Answered by Andrew Gwynne, Labour, Gorton and Denton
The settlement for the Swap to Stop scheme will be confirmed in due course.
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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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