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New Stoptober toolkit launched to support smokers trying to quit
Ahead of this year’s Stoptober campaign, the Department of Health and Social Care has released a free support toolkit to help organisations assist individuals in giving up smoking. The toolkit includes a range of digital and printable materials, many of which can be customised to suit local needs. It forms part of a wider push to encourage smokers to take part in the 28-day challenge, shown to greatly improve long-term quit rates. The campaign also promotes digital support tools and real-life stories to motivate participants. Data shows smoking remains most common among adults aged 25 to 34.
Source: The Pharmacist, 23 September 2025
See also: NHS – Better Health | DHSC - Stoptober 2025
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Teachers raise concerns over underage access to nicotine pouches in Wales
Teachers in Wales are increasingly alarmed by the rise in nicotine pouch use among pupils, with a NASUWT survey showing 51% are concerned about misuse in schools and 88.4% outside of school. Despite potential health risks and high nicotine content, the products are currently legal for under-18s to purchase and are often sold without age checks or proper labelling. The upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill, expected to come into force in 2027, aims to ban sales to minors and introduce regulations on packaging, strength, and advertising to protect young people.
Source: ITV News, 24 September 2025
See also: ASH – Nicotine Pouches | The Tobacco and Vapes Bill
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Starmer announces plan to regenerate high streets
Keir Starmer is set to announce a major regeneration initiative targeting neglected communities in an effort to curb growing support for Reform UK. The scheme will allocate long-term funding to 330 areas to help restore high streets, reopen shuttered public spaces, and improve local infrastructure. Councils will be given new powers to direct spending and regulate which businesses operate in their areas—including the ability to block vape shops, betting shops, and other premises considered harmful or unhelpful to community renewal. The plan forms part of Labour’s broader push to demonstrate visible progress ahead of the next general election.
Source: The Guardian, 24 September 2025
See also: Gov – Press release: Communities to seize control over high streets and restore pride
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Vaping linked to rising dental and health concerns, warns actress
Lily James has said that vaping flavoured e-cigarettes has damaged her teeth, reflecting wider concerns about the health risks of vaping. Experts highlight links to gum disease and tooth decay. Despite a ban on sales to under-18s, youth vaping continues to rise, prompting government action.
Source: The Telegraph, 24 September
See also: Dentistry - Vaping and oral health – an update for the dental team | Daily Mail - How vaping ruins your teeth
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Republic of Ireland: Vapes marketed to teen raise concerns over youth use
In the Dáil (lower house of the Irish national parliament), TD (member of the Dáil) Jen Cummins claimed that vapes are still being sold to teenagers despite a ban on sales to under-18s, with many shops failing to enforce age checks. She also highlighted that nicotine vapes come in styles that match teenagers’ party outfits, making them more appealing. New legislation coming into force will ban the sale of disposable vapes in Ireland from next week and prohibit their sale at festivals and pop-up shops from 2026. Additional laws are planned to restrict vape colours and advertising to reduce their attractiveness to young people.
Source: The Irish Times, 24 September 2025
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EU tobacco tax plan criticised by member countries and industry
The EU’s proposed tobacco tax increase and new levies on raw tobacco face criticism from member states and industry groups. Critics claim it could negatively impact rural jobs, increase illicit trade, and further deepen Europe’s reliance on imports from countries like China. The Commission insists the reforms are needed to modernise enforcement, harmonise taxation in the single market and improve public health. The plan, due to start in 2028, requires unanimous approval but faces significant opposition.
Source: eureporter, 25 September 2025
Editorial note: Tobacco taxes are considered the single most effective way to reduce smoking rates according to the World Bank and WHO. In the UK, tobacco taxes – combined with a comprehensive anti-smuggling strategy – have been highly effective at reducing both smoking prevalence and the illicit trade in tobacco. According to HMRC, the number of illicit cigarettes consumed in the UK has fallen by almost 90% since the turn of the century, while the price of an average pack of cigarettes has more than tripled.
While governments and industry often present tobacco farming as a pathway to economic prosperity, research consistently shows that smallholder farmers typically earn less from tobacco than from alternative crops. Tobacco is also highly labour-intensive, often relying on unpaid family labour, and many farmers remain dependent on volatile prices and company-controlled supply chains.
See also: ASH – From Smuggling to spin: how tobacco giants hijacked the illicit trade debate | Tobacco Tactics - Tobacco Farming
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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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