View this email in your browser ([link removed])


** 18 September 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
UK


** US politician urges UK to reconsider generational smoking ban (#1)
------------------------------------------------------------


** Many adults miss out on NHS mid-life health check invitations, watchdog warns (#2)
------------------------------------------------------------
International


** Belize backs new law to curb tobacco use and protect young people (#3)
------------------------------------------------------------


** EU confirms Sweden's snus sales will be included in tobacco tax contribution (#4)
------------------------------------------------------------


** US: Experts warn of lasting damage to US public health under Trump administration (#5)
------------------------------------------------------------
UK


** US politician urges UK to reconsider generational smoking ban

US congressman David Rouzer, who represents North Carolina’s 7th district in the lower house of Congress, has appealed to senior members of Donald Trump’s cabinet, asking them to raise objections with the UK governments planned generational smoking ban due to be introduced as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The intervention coincides with Trump’s state visit to the UK.

In the letter sent to the cabinet, Rouzer warns the ban could lead to a rise in the illicit tobacco trade and fuel organised crime. He also claims it would negatively affect American tobacco growers, who could lose market share to less-regulated international producers.

Source: Daily Express, 17 September 2025

Editorial note: David Rouzer has received campaign contributions ([link removed]) from Political Action Committees and individuals associated with the tobacco industry, indicating financial ties to tobacco interests.
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])


** Many adults miss out on NHS mid-life health check invitations, watchdog warns

A recent survey highlights that a significant number of adults in England have not been invited to attend the NHS Health Check, a preventative assessment aimed at identifying risks for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. Despite being available every five years to those aged 40 to 74 without long-term illnesses, over half of eligible men and women report never receiving an invitation.

Healthwatch England emphasises the importance of clear communication and outreach, particularly through trusted sources like GPs, to improve attendance rates, and states that funding cuts have led to a deprioritisation of the programme. The investigation also highlighted inequalities in access, with those living in urban areas more likely to receive invitations than those in rural areas.

The Department of Health and Social Care states that over 75% of eligible people have been invited in the last five years and is working to improve the programme by introducing an online health check that can be completed at home. They also highlighted broader efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease by addressing key risk factors such as smoking and obesity, as part of a wider 10-year health plan focusing on shifting care from treatment to prevention.

Source: Daily Mail, 18 September 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
International


** Belize backs new law to curb tobacco use and protect young people

Belize’s Cabinet has approved a new tobacco control bill to reduce smoking prevalence bring Belize in line with international public health standards. The legislation will introduce restrictions on advertising, packaging, and public use of both traditional and newer tobacco and nicotine products including vapes, heated tobacco products and hookahs.

Health authorities say the move is urgently needed, particularly to address rising smoking rates among teenagers, which stands at a prevalence of 13% among 13-15 year olds. Officials also note the need for higher taxes and customs duties on tobacco products to reduce use.

Source: Greater Belize Media, 22 August 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])


** EU confirms Sweden's snus sales will be included in tobacco tax contribution

The European Commission has confirmed that revenue from Sweden’s traditional oral tobacco product, snus, will be included in a proposed EU-wide scheme to divert a portion of tobacco tax income to the bloc’s long-term budget. Under the new "own resources" proposal, 15% of each member state's tobacco tax revenues would go to the EU budget for the 2028–2034 period. Despite Sweden's historical exemption allowing the sale of snus domestically, the Commission stated that no product would be exempt from the plan, citing the need for uniform treatment across member states.

Source: Euractiv, 18 September 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])


** US: Experts warn of lasting damage to US public health under Trump administration

Public health experts have warned that the Trump administration’s sweeping cuts to science agencies and research funding are causing long-term harm to the United States' health infrastructure.

Since Trump returned to office, thousands of government scientists have reportedly been dismissed, with the Department of Health and Human Services alone losing nearly a quarter of its workforce. Key vaccine development initiatives have had funding cancelled, while controversial shifts in vaccine policy have led to accusations of political interference. Programmes addressing Alzheimer’s disease and child drowning prevention have also been dismantled.

Critics say these developments are part of a broader pattern of sidelining evidence-based science, and caution that rebuilding lost expertise could take years. The article also highlights concerns raised about the administration’s policies on climate science, environmental protection and nuclear safety.

Source: The Guardian, 17 September 2025
------------------------------------------------------------
Read Here ([link removed])
Have you been forwarded this email? Subscribe to ASH Daily News here. ([link removed])

For more information email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or visit www.ash.org.uk
@ASHorguk ([link removed])

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.

============================================================
Our mailing address is:
Action on Smoking and Health
Unit 2.9, The Foundry
17 Oval Way
London
SE11 5RR

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])