|
|
|
|
Illegal cigarette trade reveals deeper issues on UK high streets
This BBC article investigates the links between illicit tobacco and criminal gangs. It highlights one undercover investigation in Hull which uncovered the widespread sale of illicit cigarettes, revealing a troubling network of criminal activity across UK high streets. Hidden stashes, including those found in underground tunnels beneath shops, are part of a broader system linked to international organised crime.
While efforts have been made to crack down on the trade, including increased funding and enforcement powers, criminals often return to business shortly after raids. The ongoing presence of these illegal activities is eroding public trust in authorities and contributing to a broader perception of decline and unfairness in local communities.
Source: BBC News, 3 July 2025
Editorial note: While illicit tobacco remains an ongoing challenge, the progress made in the UK over the last 20 years has been significant, with the size of the illicit market falling from 21.7% of tobacco smoked in 2006/7 to 13.8% in 2023/24. Since HMRC published the first UK illicit tobacco strategy in 2000, the illicit market for hand rolled tobacco has declined from 61% of the market to 24% in 2023/24, and from 20% to 10% for cigarettes. During this period, the number of illicit cigarettes consumed has fallen from an estimated 15 billion to 2 billion. Independent survey findings published in the BMJ found that around 10% of smokers reported using illicit tobacco in 2022 in England.
The tobacco industry has a long track record of overstating the size of the illicit market and claiming that regulation and tax increases are ‘fuelling the illicit market’. These claims are not supported by the wider evidence nor by national data published by HMRC. Both the World Bank and the WHO state that tobacco taxes are the single most effective measure for reducing smoking and that the size of a country’s illicit market is linked to multiple factors, such as the effectiveness of its enforcement strategy and supply chain controls, rather than simply the level of its taxation. The UK illicit market was at its height in the 1990s when taxes on tobacco were far lower than they are now.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will introduce stronger enforcement powers and a retail licencing scheme for tobacco and vapes, alongside the generational smoking ban. The best way to reduce demand for illicit tobacco in the long term is to support more smokers to quit and prevent young people from becoming addicted in the first place.
For more information, see this illegal tobacco PR guide developed by Fresh and CTSI.
|
|
ASH Scotland launches training to help support workers tackle smoking in addiction recovery
A new online training module from ASH Scotland aims to equip alcohol and drug support workers in West Lothian with the knowledge needed to help service users quit smoking. Recognising the high prevalence of tobacco use among individuals in treatment for substance misuse, the module explores the connections between smoking and other addictions, the effects of tobacco on prescribed mental health medications, and how to refer people to NHS Scotland's Quit Your Way service.
ASH Scotland’s Chief Executive, Sheila Duffy, highlighted the serious health risks associated with tobacco use and emphasised the importance of integrating smoking cessation into recovery support. The initiative is part of broader efforts to improve health outcomes for people facing multiple addictions.
Source: Daily Record, 3 July 2025
|
|
Ban on disposable vapes falters as lookalike products fill the gap
The UK’s ban on single use vapes, introduced to reduce waste and safeguard children’s health, is being undermined by the widespread availability of nearly identical reusable versions. While the law prohibits products that can’t be refilled or recharged, retailers continue to sell new devices at similar prices, often without stocking the required refill pods—prompting users to discard them after a single use.
A Financial Times investigation found that many convenience shops in London and the Southeast still sold disposables or reusable vapes without compatible cartridges, with major brands like Elf Bar and Lost Mary launching products that closely resemble their banned predecessors.
Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), criticised the legislation as inadequate, calling for clearer communication from manufacturers to prevent continued single-use behaviour. Environmental concerns also persist, with millions of vapes still ending up in landfill weekly, according to recycling advocates.
Kate Pike from Trading Standards highlighted the confusion facing consumers, stating that many reusable products closely resemble banned items, and confirmed that enforcement measures are being taken where violations are found.
Source: Financial Times, 4 July 2025
|
|
Labour’s NHS overhaul aims high but faces old challenges and tight deadlines
Writing for The Guardian, Denis Campbell, The Guardian’s Health Policy editor, explains that Labour’s newly unveiled decade-long plan to overhaul the NHS comes at a time of deep public discontent and service strain. With access to GPs, emergency services and mental health support continuing to fall short, public trust in the system is at a low point, despite continued broad support for the institution itself. The government’s blueprint sets out ambitious changes to address growing demand, workforce pressures and outdated models of care.
The plan prioritises a shift towards digital healthcare, preventive measures, and more services delivered in community settings. However, Campbell argues many of these goals echo previous reforms that failed to take hold, and that questions remain over whether resources, staffing and leadership capacity will be sufficient to support the dual running of old and new systems. Campbell raises concerns about the omission of major public health interventions and whether the plan can keep pace with increasing ill health.
Campbell concludes that though comprehensive and serious in intent, the programme’s ultimate success may depend more on speed than scope. With time and public patience in limited supply, delivering visible improvements before the next general election will be a key test for Labour. Campbell argues that expectations must be managed, as past NHS reforms have often moved too slowly to meet urgent needs.
Source: The Guardian, 3 July 2025
See also: ASH response to publication of 10 Year Health Plan for England
|
|
Republic of Ireland: E-cigarette products pulled from sale after nicotine found in ‘nicotine-free’ vapes
An urgent public warning has been issued after e-cigarettes from two brands were discovered to contain high levels of nicotine despite being labelled as nicotine-free. Following testing by the State Laboratory, the HSE’s National Environmental Health Service confirmed the presence of up to 30 mg/ml of nicotine in a range of flavoured products from McKesse and Bank Box. European Safety Alerts have been issued.
Retailers have been instructed to withdraw the products from sale and inform customers through recall notices. Consumers are advised to return affected items to the point of purchase. The HSE has said it will continue to enforce public health legislation through measures such as seizures and legal action. Margaret Ruddy, a senior figure in the HSE’s environmental health division, emphasised the need for retailers to verify their products and supply chains.
Source: The Irish Times, 2 July 2025
|
|
Public health experts urge government to sever ties with harmful industries
Academics from the University of Bath are calling on governments to stop collaborating with industries such as alcohol, gambling, and ultra-processed food, citing the dangers these sectors pose to public health. They argue that these industries, like tobacco before them, have interests that conflict fundamentally with the goals of health policy, and their involvement in decision-making undermines effective prevention measures.
Drawing parallels with the success of tobacco control, the researchers highlight how vested industries use tactics such as public partnerships and self-regulation to appear responsible while opposing meaningful reform behind the scenes. They stress that these relationships erode trust in public institutions and delay action needed to reduce preventable illness and death on a global scale.
The paper forms part of a special issue of the Future Healthcare Journal, which explores the impact of commercial conflicts of interest on health outcomes. Contributors across the public health field warn that unless decision-makers act decisively to remove industry influence from policymaking, long-term improvements in population health will remain out of reach.
Source: University of Bath, 2 July 2025
See also: University of Bath’s full paper
|
|
Regional tobacco control can reduce smoking even in centralised systems
Academics Nathan Davies and Tessa Langley, writing for the Addiction journal, highlight research showing that England’s Northeast, the only region maintaining a dedicated tobacco control programme, experienced the fastest decline in smoking rates between 2006 and 2024 compared to other areas. Davies and Langley identify that despite England’s highly centralised governance and limited regional powers, modestly funded expert teams focusing on illicit trade, media campaigns, and strategic coordination appear to have contributed to this success.
Davies and Langley explain that while most tobacco legislation is national, regional tobacco control units have played an important role by supporting local cessation services, fostering regional consensus, and leading targeted initiatives. These efforts have helped counteract widening economic inequalities and the broader trend of health disparities, suggesting regional programmes can be effective even without strong legislative authority or large budgets.
Davies and Langley conclude that further research and sustained investment in regional tobacco control are needed to identify the most effective strategies and to enhance local efforts. Expanding expert-led regional approaches could not only reduce smoking prevalence but also help address health and economic inequalities across centralised nations like England.
Source: Addiction, 23 June 2025
|
|
Yorkshire Cancer Research publish their White Rose Cancer Report
Yorkshire Cancer Research has highlighted the urgent necessity for a long-term, well-funded national cancer strategy to improve cancer outcomes in Yorkshire, a region that faces consistently higher cancer incidence than the national average. The charity emphasises that significant regional disparities exist within Yorkshire itself, and these must be addressed through focused and equitable action.
The charity welcomes the government’s commitment to a new National Cancer Plan expected in summer 2025 and urges that it includes clear, evidence-based measures tailored to Yorkshire’s needs. With adequate funding and robust progress monitoring, this plan could significantly enhance early diagnosis, prevention, treatment access, and research funding, moving closer to the goal of reducing the cancer burden in the region and beyond.
Significantly, the charity is calling for the integration of automatic smoking cessation enrolment in NHS services to be included in the National Cancer Plan. The charity believe that this would help to achieve the 2030 goal of reducing smoking prevalence to 5%. This approach would ensure that every patient who smokes is offered support to quit during various healthcare interactions, such as lung screenings, emergency care, mental health appointments, and cancer referrals. Incorporating this strategy would also help address health inequalities by boosting cessation support uptake in deprived communities. The National Cancer Plan’s commitment to this method could be a vital step towards improving public health outcomes across Yorkshire and England.
Source: Yorkshire Cancer Research, The White Rose Cancer Report
|
|
Podcast: Let’s talk e-cigarettes
Jamie Hartmann-Boyce and Nicola Lindson discuss emerging evidence in e-cigarette research and interview Lauren McMillan, University of Stirling about their project evaluating the effectiveness of an e-cigarette intervention for smoking cessation at centres for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
|
|
Have you been forwarded this email? Subscribe to ASH Daily News here.
For more information email [email protected] or visit www.ash.org.uk
@ASHorguk
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
