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Daily news - 8th October 2025 |
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UK news
UK deaths of 1,611 homeless people in 2024 is record high
The Museum of Homelessness, which compiles the data, said that 1,611 homeless people died in 2024. The figure is 9% higher than the year before, with the majority of deaths being linked to suicide or drugs, with spice and nitazines becoming increasingly deadly | BBC, UK
One in three UK workers have called in sick after work drinks, survey finds
IPPR report warns of ‘productivity crisis’ and says many firms out of step with gen Z shift away from alcohol | Guardian, UK
One in three adults need alcohol to get on the dancefloor – but one group has less shame than others
The estimated lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer is 14 per cent, which increases to 22 per cent in those who drink two glasses of wine a day | Independent, UK
Purchase price of tobacco in small retailers in Great Britain: the relationships with neighbourhood deprivation and urbanicity between 2016–2021
[Open access] Tobacco price is an important determinant of smoking behaviour. Using electronic point-of-sales (EPOS) data, this study assesses purchase price of factory-made cigarettes (FMC) and roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco across neighbourhood deprivation and urban/rural status in Britain. It considers price changes, 2016–2021 and brand price segmentation | BMJ Tobacco Control, UK
Welsh scientists part of major study into vaping risks and benefits
Scientists from Aberystwyth University are part of a £1.55m project to unravel long-term vaping risks and benefits on lung health for smokers. The project aims to address unanswered questions about the biological effects of vaping on lung cells, immune cells and inflammatory markers and airway microbiome. Unlike previous studies which considered effects on lung health at a single timepoint, this study will examine the effect of long-term vaping on the respiratory system over the course of a year | Wales 247, UK
Vape boss says allowing 'strict' ads would help smokers quit
Allowing more vape adverts could encourage smokers to switch, says the boss of one of the world's largest tobacco and vaping manufacturers | BBC, UK
Poll supports preventing vaping on school grounds
More than 90% of islanders in three Crown dependencies agree with the idea of introducing support for schools to prevent people from vaping on school grounds, according to a new survey. The response is among the results of a vaping survey in Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man carried out by Island Global Research | BBC, UK
No alcohol allowed - darts heads to Saudi Arabia
Players are set to experience a very different atmosphere when a darts tournament is held in Saudi Arabia - with no alcohol allowed | BBC, UK
Police storm County Lines drug gangs as record number of arrests made - video
A man was arrested in a dramatic police raid on a home in Liverpool as part of an operation targeting drug smuggling - as crime and policing minister Sarah Jones vowed to crack down on the “evil trade” | Independent, UK
International news
Spain legalises medical cannabis in 'historic' move
The country's Council of Ministers today approved cannabis to be prescribed to patients as an ailment to their illnesses | Mail Online, UK
“We knew it was coming: we didn’t act” perspectives from people who use drugs and substance use workforce on the impact of delays in implementation of the supervised injection facility and drug checking interventions
[Open access] Harm reduction techniques such as supervised injection facilities and drug checking are evidence-based strategies for reducing fatal overdoses. Despite the evidence in support of these interventions, Irish drug policy experienced delays in implementation of these strategies. This study considers the perceived impacts of delayed implementation of the supervised injection facility and drug checking in Ireland | Harm Reduction Journal, UK
OK Boomer: A longitudinal analysis unravelling generational cohort differences in alcohol consumption among Australians
[Open access] Alcohol consumption is a key preventable cause of disease and injury worldwide. Recent evidence suggests that younger generations may be consuming less alcohol. However, it is still uncertain whether this trend is temporary or indicative of an enduring generational shift. This study sought to determine whether there are generational differences in alcohol consumption in Australia, while accounting for age and other sociodemographic factors | Addiction, UK
The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and the Conference of the Parties (COP): an explainer (updated September 2025)
The Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) will see government delegations from around the world meet in Geneva, Switzerland, from 17–22 November 2025. This GSTHR Briefing Paper explains what the FCTC is, what COP meetings are, how they operate and who attends | GSTHR, UK
Tobacco harm reduction and the FCTC: issues and challenges at COP11
From 17–22 November 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, government delegations from around the world will meet to discuss tobacco and nicotine policy. This Briefing Paper will touch on whether the FCTC is meeting its objectives and some of the issues with the COP process. It will also consider the discussions likely to take place at the upcoming eleventh Conference of the Parties (COP11) related to safer nicotine products and tobacco harm reduction | GSTHR, UK
‘Another budget, another sweetener to the alcohol industry’ – campaigners react as pack of 20 cigarettes now nearly €19, but price of pint unchanged
Smokers can expect to pay nearly €19 for a packet of 20 cigarettes after a 50c hike was announced in the budget, but the price of a pint is unchanged. The 50c excise duty refers to tobacco products and makes no mention of vapes, despite the rise in the use of e-cigarettes and concerns about the health effects of nicotine | Irish Independent, Ireland
Parents Matter – Vaping Products & Psychoactive Substances: What You Should Know as a Parent - video
The session, titled “Parents Matter: Vaping Products & Psychoactive Substances: What You Should Know as a Parent,” will focus on the growing concerns around vaping and the use of psychoactive substances, with particular attention to HHC. This webinar is designed to provide parents with clear, up-to-date information and practical guidance in an area where trends and risks are changing rapidly | HSE Health and Wellbeing, Ireland
WHO tobacco trends report: 1 in 5 adults still addicted to tobacco
The world is smoking less, but the tobacco epidemic is far from over. A new WHO global report shows the number of tobacco users has dropped from 1.38 billion in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024. Since 2010, the number of people using tobacco has dropped by 120 million – a 27% drop in relative terms. Yet, tobacco still hooks one in five adults worldwide, fuelling millions of preventable deaths every year | WHO, Switzerland
The Psychedelic Renaissance is Alive and Well
It was an absolute honour to attend and film the world’s largest gathering of the psychedelic science community: Psychedelic Science 2025 in Denver, Colorado. We are grateful to the many outstanding scientists, healers, and activists who shared their wisdom with us — Watch our videos to learn more | Drug Reporter, Hungary
Brain stimulation may reduce cannabis addiction in people with multiple sclerosis
A noninvasive device that delivers weak electrical currents to the brain may help those with multiple sclerosis cut back on excessive cannabis use, a new NYU Langone Health study of women with the condition shows | Medical Xpress, USA
Teens in distress turn to tobacco but need more help to quit
A new study based on the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey has uncovered a concerning gap in how health professionals support young people dealing with mental health challenges and tobacco use | Medical Xpress, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
A Want in Her review – daughter’s searing portrait of family addiction and mental illness
Film-maker Myrid Carten exposes her relationship with her mother – who has both bipolar disorder and alcoholism – in this painful but powerful documentary | Guardian, UK
Listening to Echoes of Our Own History
History is never linear, although we often perceive it as so. This is true for the history of addiction recovery in America, which has experienced many boom-and-bust cycles. Eras of rapid expansion of services and supports combined with improved public perceptions about addiction and those of us impacted by it. Then, periods of deep contraction | Recovery Review blog, USA