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** 22 March 2023
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** UK
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** Henry Dimbleby: Conservatives' obesity strategy makes no sense, ex-adviser says (#1)
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** International
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** Rothschild to advise tobacco maker Al Fakher on strategic options (#2)
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** Parliamentary Activity
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** Written questions (#3)
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** UK
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** Henry Dimbleby: Conservatives' obesity strategy makes no sense, ex-adviser says

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** The government's own former adviser has criticised the Conservative Party's approach to tackling obesity, saying it "makes no sense". The co-founder of food chain Leon said ministers had "pulled back" on promises to restrict junk food advertising.

The government said it would continue to work with industry to help people make healthier choices.

Mr Dimbleby said he was stepping back from his role because he wanted to be free to speak out against government policy.

Last year, the government delayed a planned ban on "buy one get one free" offers on unhealthy foods in England until October 2023 to assess the impact on household finances in light of the cost-of-living crisis. A ban on TV advertising of junk food before 21:00 has also been pushed back to October 2025 to give the industry more time to prepare for the restrictions.

An estimated 26% of adults in England are obese, while a further 38% are overweight, according to the latest NHS figures.
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**
Source: BBC News, 20 March 2023
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** International
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** Rothschild to advise tobacco maker Al Fakher on strategic options
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**
The owner of Dubai-based tobacco company Al Fakher has hired Rothschild & Co to advise it on strategic options, including a possible initial public offering (IPO), two sources familiar with the matter said.

An IPO would take place in the region, either on Saudi Arabia's Tadawul or the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, the sources said.

Al Fakher is owned by Advanced Inhalation Rituals, a private company that is majority owned by London-based Kingsway Capital.

Al Fakher, which was founded in 1999, makes flavoured shisha molasses sold in more than 100 countries, according to its website.

Source: Reuters, 22 March 2023
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** Parliamentary Activity
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** Written questions

PQ1: Tobacco

Asked by Daniel Kawczynski, Conservative, Shrewsbury and Atcham

To the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the oral contribution of 9 March by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Official Report, column 186WH, whether tobacco control measures in the Major Conditions Strategy will be in addition to the Tobacco Control Plan.

Answered by Neil O'Brien, Minister for Primary Care and Public Health

In the coming weeks, the Government will unveil a set of proposals to realise the Smokefree 2030 ambition and respond to the recommendations in the Khan Review. This will be separate to the Major Conditions Strategy.
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** Source: Hansard, 20 March 2023
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** PQ2: Electronic cigarettes

Asked by Dr Neil Hudson, Conservative, Penrith and The Border

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to stop vaping by under 18-year olds.

Answered by Neil O'Brien, Minister for Primary Care and Public Health

The Government has introduced a range of measures to prevent vapes being used by people under 18 years of age. The law restricts sales to over-18s only, limits nicotine content, refill bottle and tank sizes, and has specific requirements on labelling and through advertising restrictions.

To make young people aware of the risks of using vapes, in October 2022 we published new vaping content on the Talk to Frank and Better Health websites and developed a suite of resources for schools to use, including the recently published Year 9 lesson plan published by the PSHE Association. These can be found at the following link: [link removed]

The Department for Education (DfE) is also bringing forward the review of the relationships, sex and health education statutory guidance. DfE will consider whether content on vaping should be included in this.
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**
Hansard, 21 March 2023
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** PQ3: Tobacco – Excise duties

Asked by Rachael Maskell, Labour, York Central

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the changes made to tobacco duty rates from 15 March 2023 and the recommendations in the Khan Report.

Answered by James Cartlidge, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury

The Chancellor regularly engages with his Cabinet colleagues and stakeholders on a range of issues.
Tobacco Duty rates are considered as part of the annual Budget process. Stakeholders can make representations, which form part of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s considerations.
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**
Source: Hansard, 21 March 2023
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** PQ4: Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016

Asked by Daniel Kawczynski, Conservative, Shrewsbury and Atcham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Retained EU Law Bill, whether he plans to review the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 to (a) support e-cigarettes as a reduced harm alternative to cigarettes and (b) regulate non-nicotine containing e-liquids.

Answered by Neil O'Brien, Minister for Primary Care and Public Health

Through the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, the Government is currently reviewing which retained European Union (EU) law should be repealed, reformed or preserved. The Government continues to work with a range of stakeholders to ensure that any such reforms maintain current standards in patient safety and public health.
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**
Source: Hansard, 21 March 2023
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** PQ5: Electronic Cigarettes: Health Hazards

Asked by Dr Neil Hudson, Conservative, Penrith and The Border

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the known medical risks of vaping.

Answered by Neil O'Brien, Minister for Primary Care and Public Health

The Department’s assessment of the medical risk of vaping is based upon a series of evidence reviews commissioned over the past several years. The latest, The Nicotine Vaping in England: 2022 evidence update report was published in September 2022.

This current report focuses predominantly on the potential health risks of vaping. It carried out reviews on biomarkers of exposure to nicotine and potential toxicants; biomarkers of potential harm to health cutting across several diseases, including cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases; biomarkers specifically associated with cancer, respiratory, cardiovascular or other health outcomes; poisonings; fires and explosions; nicotine and flavours.

The report concludes that in the short and medium term, vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking, but that vaping is not risk-free, particularly for people who have never smoked.
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**
Source: Hansard, 21 March 2023
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** PQ6: Tobacco: Excise Duties

Asked by Daniel Kawczynski, Conservative, Shrewsbury and Atcham

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Retained EU Law Bill, whether his department plans to review tobacco excise structures.

Answered by James Cartlidge, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury

Tax matters are kept under constant review, with any announcements made at fiscal events. All required legislation relating to excise duties will be made via the Finance Bill (or subordinate tax legislation) which is usual and appropriate for tax provisions.
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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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