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No Smoking Day: Kym Marsh shares her journey to quitting smoking
Actress and TV presenter Kym Marsh has opened up about her decision to quit smoking, citing her family as her biggest motivation. After smoking on and off for 25 years, she successfully stopped following her father’s health scare, realising she wanted to be there for her children and grandchildren. Marsh acknowledges that quitting was challenging, particularly in social settings, but she found support through the NHS and replaced smoking with healthier habits like fitness. Now, she has joined forces with the NHS to encourage the UK’s six million smokers to quit this No Smoking Day (March 12). For help and support, download the free NHS Quit Smoking app.
Source: The Independent, 12 March 2025
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Study finds sons more affected by maternal smoking
New research from the University of Aberdeen suggests that men born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy may face greater long-term health risks than women. Analysing data from 500,000 people across the UK, researchers found that male foetuses showed genetic changes in the liver as early as 17 weeks into pregnancy, with potential consequences lasting into adulthood.
The study linked maternal smoking to a shorter life expectancy in sons who later became smokers themselves. However, researchers emphasised that quitting smoking in adulthood could mitigate these risks. The findings contribute to understanding how maternal smoking influences long-term health and may inform improved smoking cessation counselling.
Source: BBC News, 12 March 2025
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NHS clinic tackles youth vaping
A pioneering NHS clinic in Liverpool is providing treatment for children as young as 11 who are addicted to nicotine through vaping. The initiative, launched at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, offers nicotine replacement therapy and aims to understand the most effective ways to help young people quit.
While vaping is acknowledged as a tool to help adults quit smoking, concerns remain about its potential long-term effects on young people's health. The UK government is introducing stricter regulations, including a ban on disposable vapes and limits on advertising and flavours, but experts warn that immediate support is needed for young people already using vapes. A large-scale study has also been commissioned to track the long-term impact of vaping on young people’s health.
Source: Financial Times, 12 March 2025
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Report challenges France’s reputation for good heart health
A new study by the French Public Health Agency has found that cardiovascular health in France is poorer than commonly believed, with only 11 per cent of adults meeting the ideal standard. This figure is lower than in the UK, where a recent survey reported 14 per cent of people with excellent heart health.
The report highlights unhealthy lifestyle factors, including insufficient fruit and vegetable intake, excessive salt consumption, high smoking rates, and lack of exercise. Women, in particular, face increased risks due to rising smoking rates and disparities in medical diagnosis and treatment. Despite these concerns, France records a lower percentage of deaths from heart disease compared to the UK, suggesting that differences in healthcare systems may play a role in outcomes.
Public health experts are urging stronger preventative measures and better care, especially for women, to address growing concerns over cardiovascular disease.
Source: The Times, 10 March 2025
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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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