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Daily news - 25th October 2024 |
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UK news
Estimating Young Adult Uptake of Smoking by Area Across the United Kingdom
[Open access] There is majority support in parliament and across the United Kingdom to implement a “smoke-free generation” policy which would mean people born on or after January 1, 2009, could never legally be sold tobacco. To explore the potential impact this policy could have, we estimated the number of young adults (18–25 years) currently taking up smoking each year by area across the United Kingdom | Nicotine & Tobacco Research, UK
Trends in non-daily cigarette smoking in England, 2006–2024
[Open access] Cigarette smoking is incredibly harmful, even for people who do not smoke every day. This study aimed to estimate trends in non-daily smoking in England between 2006 and 2024, how these differed across population subgroups, and to explore changes in the profile of non-daily smokers in terms of their sociodemographic and smoking characteristics and vaping and alcohol consumption | BMC Medicine, UK
Rise in casual smokers who may be less motivated to quit, study warns
An increasing proportion of adults in England are smoking casually and are less likely to be motivated to quit, according to a study. Those who do not smoke every day “often underestimate the harms” of cigarettes, researchers warned | Independent, UK
No 10 blocking outdoor smoking ban amid hospitality opposition
Exclusive: Government ‘spooked’ by warnings of job losses and pub closures if it added ban to tobacco and vapes bill | Guardian, UK
What do vapers think of impending disposable ban/ - video
BBC Wales' Terel Edmunds has spoken to people in Cardiff to gather their thoughts on the impending ban | BBC, UK
The Hidden Dangers of Illicit Cannabis (PDF)
This report uncovers the potential harm caused by unregulated cannabis, including contamination from mould, yeasts, bacteria, heavy metals, and chemical residues. These contaminants may pose significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations using cannabis for medical reasons | Curaleaf, UK
MPs on all sides call for action on nitazenes after Big Issue exposes Britain's drug deaths crisis
MPs from Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens have called for urgent action after Big Issue’s investigation into the stark human toll of nitazenes, a powerful synthetic opioid claiming lives in the UK | Big Issue, UK
Naloxone Saves Lives: Overdose Prevention Training at Glasgow Central
Last Wednesday, 16th October, Glasgow Central railway station was the site of an overdose prevention event, where more than 180 naloxone kits were distributed to the public | SDF, UK
Man's cocaine death after raid was 'misadventure'
A man's death after he ingested cocaine when a bag of drugs "exploded" in his mouth during a police raid has been ruled misadventure | BBC, UK
Sauce, soap and drugs seized from jail drone drops
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Det Supt Andy Buckthorpe said the region's gangs are using skilled drone pilots to deliver packages containing drugs, but also tobacco and even condiments | BBC, UK
International news
Gambling poses huge global threat to public health, experts warn
Lancet commission calls for gambling to be treated in same way as alcohol and tobacco after technology widens reach | Guardian, UK
Fentanyl, Heroin, Methamphetamine, and Cocaine Analyte Concentrations in Urine Drug Testing Specimens
Findings of this study suggest that exposure to these substances and the illicit drug supply has fundamentally changed in the US over time, necessitating reinforced surveillance initiatives and accelerated efforts to treat individuals exposed to illicitly manufactured fentanyl and/or stimulants | JAMA Network Open, USA
Opioids may negatively impact hormone health
A new scientific statement released today by the Endocrine Society highlights research gaps associated with the negative effects of opioid use on the endocrine system | Science Daily, USA
Challenging public stigma: the impact of a statewide social media campaign to reduce opioid use disorder stigma
[Open access] Concern that stigma was harming health and recovery among individuals with opioid use disorder led Pennsylvania in the USA to fund an anti-stigma social media campaign. Comparing the responses of people who had versus had not interacted with the campaign suggested “integrative anti-stigma campaigns and the use of mass media can have a positive effect on stigma reduction” | DEPP, USA
Colorado's naloxone fund is drying up, even as opioid settlement money rolls in
On a bustling street corner one recent afternoon outside the offices of the Harm Reduction Action Center, employees of the education and advocacy nonprofit handed out free naloxone kits to passersby | Medical Xpress, USA
Drinking is cheaper than it’s been in decades. Lobbyists are fighting to keep it that way
In a few states, however, advocates have shown it’s possible to raise taxes on alcohol | STAT News, USA
Cost-Effectiveness of Treating Hepatitis C in Clients on Opioid Agonist Therapy in Community Pharmacies Compared to Primary Healthcare in Australia
[Open access] Identify and treat hepatitis C infection when methadone or buprenorphine patients visit their pharmacies rather than by referral to their GPs, was the message of this Australian trial. Already known was that far more patients ended up being cured. Now it's known that per cure costs were no higher | Journal of Viral Hepatitis, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Labour can stop more vulnerable people dying from drugs like nitazenes – if it wants. Here's how
The UK is sleepwalking into a crisis of synthetic opioids. Time is running out, writes Cranstoun's Luke O'Neil | Big Issue opinion, UK
Tackling the drugs crisis through dignity and support
The safer consumption pilot must be accompanied by an ‘ecosystem of recovery’ | 1919 Magazine, UK
Faculty of Public Health and Association of Directors of Public Health respond to ONS report on increasing drug-related deaths
In response to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) and Faculty of Public Health (FPH) have called for urgent action to reverse the worrying rise in numbers of people dying as a result of drug use | Faculty of Public Health, UK
Why do I get so anxious after drinking? Here’s the science behind ‘hangxiety’
You had a great night out, but the next morning, anxiety hits: your heart races, and you replay every conversation from the night before in your head. This feeling, known as hangover anxiety or “hangxiety”, affects around 22% of social drinkers | Conversation, Australia