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Big Tobacco sponsors take centre stage at Reform UK’s annual conference
Major players in the tobacco industry were prominent sponsors at Reform UK’s recent Birmingham conference, underscoring the party’s ties to controversial corporate backers. Japan Tobacco International, one of the world’s largest tobacco firms, supported events alongside Forest, a pro-smoking lobby group known to receive funding from Philip Morris and Japan Tobacco. Panels featuring Simon Clark of Forest and Christopher Snowdon of the Institute of Economic Affairs promoted opposition to smoking regulations. These groups, long criticised for undermining public health policy, were joined by right-wing think tanks and fossil fuel-linked organisations.
Source: Byline Times, 8 September 2025
See also: ASH – Briefing on the tobacco industry and their tactics
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Zubir Ahmed appointed junior health minister in Labour reshuffle
Dr Zubir Ahmed has been appointed parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department of Health and Social Care in Keir Starmer’s latest reshuffle. The appointment comes in the wake of Angela Rayner’s resignation and forms part of a broader reorganisation of Labour’s frontbench team. A practising GP and former public health advocate, Ahmed is expected to bring clinical experience to the health brief at a time of ongoing pressures within the NHS.
Source: Eastern Eye, 7 September 2025
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Sales down but optimism remains for vape retailers after disposables ban
Since the ban on disposable vapes came into effect on 1 June 2025, convenience stores have experienced a significant drop in vape sales. For example, one Edinburgh store reported a fall from 2,956 units sold in July 2024 to just 1,383 in July 2025, with turnover dropping from £15,956 to £9,321. Despite this, others report cautious optimism as sales have declined less substantially in the wake of the ban and consumers begin to settle on refillable options.
However, some retailers have observed that customers treat refillable vapes like disposables, simply discarding devices rather than using refills, which emphasises the urgent need for consumer education on proper usage and recycling. Fears also remain that some users may purchase illicit vapes, with retail representative Pete Cheema, chief executive of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, stressing the importance of stronger enforcement and better education to support legitimate retailers.
Source: Talking Retail, 5 September 2025
Editorial note: James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), claims that there is a “massive black market” in vapes, yet the article provides no supporting evidence for this assertion.
The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF), cited in the article, is a trade association representing convenience stores in Scotland. The organisation is funded by both retail and corporate members. Its corporate membership includes the four largest transnational tobacco companies—Japan Tobacco International (JTI), Philip Morris International (PMI), British American Tobacco (BAT), and Imperial Brands—as well as JUUL Labs, the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), and Republic Technologies, a manufacturer of Roll-Your-Own tobacco accessories.
SGF has previously opposed a number of public health measures, including the implementation of standardised (plain) packaging for tobacco products in 2016. For more information, see the Tobacco Tactics webpage on the SGF.
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JTI rewards retailers to promote products through free giveaways
A retailer won a VIP cricket day at Lord’s and a shirt signed by a former cricketer in the Mayfair Gold Super Competition on JTI360. The competition invited retailers registered on JTI360 to complete three Mayfair Gold educational modules. JTI UK plans to continue offering similar competitions to encourage retailer engagement.
Source: Talking Retail, 4 September 2025
Editorial note: This article has been included to provide insight into market trends and industry developments.
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Labour’s public health plans diluted amid industry pressure, experts warn
Labour’s original ambitions to tackle lifestyle-related illnesses have been significantly weakened following lobbying by food, alcohol, and tobacco industries, according to Sarah Woolnough and Jennifer Dixon, chief executives of the King’s Fund and Health Foundation thinktanks. While the government has introduced measures such as banning junk food advertising to children and outlawing energy drink sales to under-16s, they have stepped back from more radical policies like extending smoking restrictions to outdoor areas of pubs and restaurants.
The experts warn that this lack of decisive action threatens the sustainability of the NHS, as avoidable diseases related to poor diet, smoking, and alcohol continue to rise. Criticism has been directed at health secretary Wes Streeting for failing to enforce promised reforms, including tougher tobacco controls. Although Labour has pledged a prevention-first approach, key initiatives remain stalled or abandoned due to industry opposition, raising concerns over the government’s commitment to public health.
Source: The Guardian, 6 September 2025
See also: The King’s Fund – Blog: A prevention revolution – or another missed opportunity?
Editorial note: Media stories covering prevention of ill-health are being included in ASH Daily News because policy change in these areas is indicative of the Government’s position on prevention and their attitudes to harm-causing industries.
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France bans nicotine pouches to curb youth addiction
France will ban nicotine pouches from March 2026 in a public health move praised by anti-tobacco groups, including the Alliance Against Tobacco. The ban aims to stop the spread of nicotine addiction through tobacco-free products marketed to young people. Health authorities warned the pouches pose serious risks, while tobacco firms criticised the ban as counterproductive. The decision comes amid broader efforts to tighten tobacco and nicotine regulations, including bans on disposable e-cigarettes and public smoking.
Source: RFI, 6 September 2025
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FDA to fast-track nicotine pouch reviews under White House pressure
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is launching a pilot programme to accelerate the review of nicotine pouches from major tobacco firms, including Philip Morris International, Altria, British American Tobacco’s Reynolds American, and Turning Point Brands. The move follows pressure from the Trump administration to speed up product authorisations.
Typically a years-long process, the FDA now aims to complete reviews of select products, such as Zyn Ultra, by December 2025. Industry lobbying has played a notable role in shaping this regulatory shift. Reynolds American, for example, donated $10 million to a Trump-aligned political group earlier this year.
Nicotine pouches are the fastest-growing tobacco alternative in the U.S., and although considered lower-risk than combustible tobacco, campaigners warn they may appeal to youth.
Source: Reuters, 8 September 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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