Read articles from United Kingdom

November 05, 2025 by bbc.com

In Great Britain, more adults now use vapes than smoke cigarettes for the first time according to the Office for National Statistics. Daily vape use is popular among 25-49 year olds, with increasing numbers of women vaping. Vaping has fewer risks than smoking, but long-term effects are uncertain. Health experts advise against vaping for non-smokers and children. Although smoking rates have decreased, there are still concerns about addiction and its impact on public health. Government measures have contributed to reducing smoking rates, with ongoing efforts to support communities with high smoking rates. Legislation is being introduced to restrict tobacco sales to those born after 2009.

November 04, 2025 by bbc.com

Vaping surpasses smoking in the UK, with 5.4 million adults using vapes compared to 4.9 million smoking cigarettes in 2024. Daily vape use is popular among 25-49-year-olds and rising among women. The NHS states vaping poses fewer risks than smoking due to fewer harmful chemicals. Currently, 10% of UK adults use e-cigarettes, slightly more than smokers. Efforts to reduce smoking include bans on indoor smoking, smoking in cars with children, plain cigarette packaging, and future legislation prohibiting tobacco sales to those born after 2009. Concerns about vapes appealing to children have led to plans for stricter packaging rules. Usage among 16-24-year-olds has slightly decreased from 2023.

November 03, 2025 by london-tv.co.uk

Five London boroughs, including Ealing, Croydon, Barking, Harrow, and Camden, show high smoking rates per ONS data. Ealing stands out with a 22% rate, 92% above the national average. Harrow and Bromley have doubled rates in a year. Despite concerns, Redbridge, Waltham Forest, and Richmond upon Thames feature the lowest rates. Nationally, smoking remains at 11.9%, the lowest since 2011. Vaping is noted as a safer quitting tool, but negative perceptions may hinder progress. Education on vaping risks versus benefits is urged to address rising smoking rates in specific areas as per Vape Club’s findings.

November 03, 2025 by lse.ac.uk

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill in the UK aims to end tobacco sales to those born after 2009, with stricter regulations on nicotine products. The Bill faces criticism for misrepresenting international examples in debates. New Zealand's repeal of tobacco measures is linked to industry interference, not effectiveness issues. Australia's illicit tobacco market issues stem from weak enforcement, not regulation. Sweden's success in tobacco control is attributed to comprehensive policies, not just snus use. The UK Bill aims to regulate new nicotine products like pouches and address marketing to minors. Utilizing accurate international evidence is crucial for effective public health policy. Parliamentary debates impact global tobacco control approaches.

October 28, 2025 by clivebates.com

In the history of wrongness, it is hard to find greater wrongness than uncritical support for the UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The legislation is likely to do more harm than good, yet attracts widespread but uncritical support. The UK Tobacco and Vapes Bill is steadily making its way toward becoming law, facing almost no opposition and reportedly enjoying the backing of 1,200 “health leaders,” according to The Guardian.

October 28, 2025 by daily-pouch.com

The Department of Health will advocate harm reduction through vaping at the upcoming Geneva COP 11 conference. The UK government supports the use of vapes as a safer alternative to smoking, emphasizing its effectiveness in helping adults quit smoking. Health Minister Ashley Dalton reiterated the government's stance on vaping being less harmful than smoking while warning against non-smokers and young individuals using vapes. Advocates, like We Vape, urge for clear public communication to dispel misconceptions about vaping. The WHO, despite facing criticism for anti-vaping policies, will host COP 11 in Geneva. The UK's substantial financial support to the WHO reinforces its influence.

October 27, 2025 by radionewshub.com

Over 1,200 health leaders urge swift passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to safeguard future generations. The bill aims to prevent smoking for those born after January 1, 2009, and regulate e-cigarettes. Concerns include youth smoking uptake, preventable deaths, and health burdens. Organizations like Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation support the bill as a crucial step in tackling smoking-related issues. Support for the bill comes from various health professionals aiming to reduce smoking rates and protect public health. The bill faces scrutiny in the House of Lords as advocates stress the urgency of its implementation in combating smoking harms.

October 27, 2025 by theguardian.com

Over 1,200 health leaders urge swift passage of the tobacco and vapes bill in the UK parliament to protect future generations. The bill aims to ban tobacco sales to those born after 2009 and regulate e-cigarette packaging and marketing. Advocates emphasize the urgency of the legislation in preventing deadly addictions and saving lives. Tobacco groups oppose the bill, seeking support to weaken it. Various proposals, including delaying a ban on heated tobacco, have sparked controversy. Survey results show public support for alternative approaches to tobacco sales, such as maintaining the legal age at 18 or raising it to 21.

October 23, 2025 by smokefreesweden.org

The UK has significantly reduced smoking rates by promoting vaping and safer nicotine alternatives, leading to a 166,000 decrease in premature deaths. This strategy has lowered smoking rates and improved health outcomes, with cardiovascular mortality down and fewer smoking-related hospital admissions. These results showcase the success of tobacco harm reduction. However, challenges such as potential restrictions on vaping products could slow progress. Countries like Sweden, Japan, and New Zealand have also seen success with harm reduction strategies. To continue this positive trend, it's crucial for the UK to defend the role of vaping and reduced-risk products. Global leadership in this area must be protected to benefit millions more.

October 17, 2025 by theguardian.com

Experts argue that cigarette filters are ineffective, worsen plastic pollution, and should be banned by the UK government to protect public health and the environment. Filters don't reduce harm, mislead users, and contribute to plastic waste. Despite a declining number of smokers, misconceptions about filter benefits persist. An upcoming bill aims to raise the legal smoking age, offering a chance to further regulate tobacco products. Emphasizing the need for public education to debunk filter myths, the call is to ban filters due to their harmful effects and deceptive tactics by the tobacco industry.