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The Guardian view: Labour must tackle tobacco and other root causes to improve public health
Life expectancy in the UK has risen considerably over the last century, but healthy life expectancy and quality of life lag behind due to increasing chronic illnesses and widening health inequalities. The Guardian highlights tobacco as a major factor in public health challenges, alongside diet and alcohol, urging Labour to implement stronger regulations to curb tobacco use and related harms. Despite some policy progress, concerns remain that industry lobbying and political caution have weakened measures on tobacco, junk food, and alcohol advertising.
The editorial argues for decisive political action beyond healthcare services and calls for a comprehensive government-led effort, including tackling poverty and social factors, to reduce harms and improve overall health outcomes.
Source: The Guardian, 9 September 2025
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Disposable vapes ban: How does it work and is it working?
Despite the introduction of a UK-wide ban on disposable vapes, improper disposal of vapes remains a challenge. In June alone, waste company Biffa reported 60 fires caused by vapes and other small electronics. These devices contain lithium-ion batteries and circuit boards that can leak toxic metals, making them both a fire and environmental hazard.
Alongside the ban, the Government has introduced a vaping duty of £2.20 per 10ml of liquid that will come into force in October 2026. The government has also introduced measures as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill that will take powers to ban vape advertising and sponsorship, and to limit flavours, packaging, and product displays.
The changes come as Action on Smoking and Health’s (ASH) 2025 Smokefree survey found that the numbers of 11 to 17-year-olds vaping had plateaued over the last year, with around 400,000 reporting that they currently vape, and 160,000 vaping daily. Among adults, the numbers had reduced from 2024, with 10% (approximately 5.5 million people) currently vaping.
Though vaping is far less harmful than smoking, health authorities caution its long-term effects remain unknown. As a result, vapes are only recommended to be used as a smoking cessation tool to support adult smokers quit. A decade-long study is underway and will track 100,000 children to better understand vaping’s health risks.
Source: BBC News, 12 September 2023 [Updated 9 September 2025]
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Integrated care boards to share leadership as clusters form next year
The government has announced plans for several integrated care boards (ICBs) to form clusters from April 2026, sharing leadership and operational functions while remaining separate legal entities. This approach is part of wider efforts to reduce running costs and improve efficiency within the health system. Over the longer term, the number of ICBs is expected to decrease as they become larger organisations.
Source: NHS Confederation, 9 September 2025
See also: Karin Smyth MP, Minister for Secondary Care, Labour - Written Statement: Reductions to the running costs of integrated care boards and progress towards aligning the boundaries of integrated care boards and strategic authorities
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First areas selected for national neighbourhood health programme
The initial cohort of 43 locations chosen to participate in the national neighbourhood health implementation programme has been confirmed from 141 applications. These areas, spanning multiple integrated care boards (ICBs), will receive support including coaching, expert advice, regional workshops, and access to a peer learning hub. The programme prioritises improving care for individuals with multiple and complex health conditions, requiring joint applications backed by local health, social care, and community leaders.
Source: HSJ, 9 September 2025
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Spanish government proposes ban on smoking and vaping on bar terraces
The Spanish government has introduced a draft tobacco law aiming to prohibit smoking and vaping in outdoor spaces such as bar and restaurant terraces, alongside a ban on minors using vaping products and a halt to sales of single-use electronic cigarettes. The legislation equates e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, shisha, and heated tobacco devices with traditional cigarettes, banning their use in enclosed public places and several outdoor areas including sports venues and bus stops. Advertising and promotion of these products would also be forbidden.
While the government seeks to update tobacco regulation to address new consumption patterns, the draft currently omits plain packaging and price increases, which have drawn criticism from anti-tobacco campaigners. Smoking rates in Spain remain significant, with nearly 29% of men and 23% of women smoking daily.
Source: The Guardian, 9 September 2025
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Danish health minister rules out total nicotine ban citing EU regulations
Denmark’s Minister of Health, Sophie Løhde, has stated that a complete ban on tobacco and nicotine products is currently not feasible due to EU Tobacco Products Directive rules and free movement of goods legislation. While agreeing that nicotine products are harmful and addictive, the minister supports reducing sales points to limit accessibility and gradually raising the legal age for purchase, rather than a full prohibition. Public opinion is divided, with half supporting a ban and a third opposing it.
Danish political voices suggest incremental measures like raising age limits and increasing tobacco taxes. The government aims to engage actively in EU policy revisions to better protect young people from tobacco and nicotine harm. Recent regional moves, such as Norway banning smoking in playgrounds, illustrate shifting public health priorities in the region.
Source: DR, 10 September 2025
Editorial note: A recent report published by the European Respiratory Society concluded that a generational smoking ban would be legal for an EU member state to introduce.
See also: Altinget - Nine organizations with a joint statement: By 2035, the sale of tobacco and nicotine must end.
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Historic $32.5 billion tobacco settlement begins payments to Canadian provinces
A landmark $32.5 billion settlement has initiated substantial compensation payments from three major tobacco companies to Canadian provinces and territories, with Ontario and Quebec each receiving over a billion dollars in initial disbursements. The settlement resolves long-standing litigation aiming to recoup health-care costs linked to tobacco use and includes payouts to plaintiffs from Quebec class-action lawsuits, compensation for smokers not part of lawsuits, and funding for a tobacco control foundation.
Despite the financial windfall, public health advocates, such as Flory Doucas of the Coalition québécoise pour le contrôle du tabac and Les Hagen of the Association for Action on Smoking and Health, warn the agreement lacks concrete measures to reduce smoking rates or restrict tobacco marketing.
Source: CBC, 28 August 2025
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Speech: Secretary of State, Wes Streeting MP, speech at the King's Fund
In a speech at the King's Fund, Health Secretary Wes Streeting outlined the government’s ambitious plan to reform the NHS, focusing on shifting care from hospitals to communities, embracing digital innovation, and prioritising prevention. He highlighted early progress on reducing waiting lists and expanding GP capacity, and announced the first 43 areas selected for the National Neighbourhood Health Service. Streeting also defended controversial performance league tables and reaffirmed his commitment to confronting powerful industries—particularly tobacco—whose influence, he said, undermines public health goals.
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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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