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Daily news - 23rd September 2025

UK news

The effect of standardised packaging and limited flavour descriptors of vape pods among adults and youth in Great Britain: a cross-sectional between-subjects experimental study

Vape packaging often includes colourful designs and conceptual flavour names, which appeal to youth. We examined the impact of standardised vape packaging and flavour names on appeal to youth and adults | Lancet, UK

Edinburgh to hold public consultation on drug consumption room

Two potential sites have been identified in Edinburgh's Old Town. The consultation expected to begin early next year | BBC, UK

'Right to rehab' bill for drug users rejected by Scottish Parliament committee

The majority of a Holyrood Committee has not agreed to recommend the general principles of the right to addiction Bill for drug users | Daily Record, UK

Our actions are dictated by 'autopilot' not choice, finds study

The study found that 65% of daily behaviors were habitually initiated, meaning people were prompted to do them out of routine rather than making a conscious decision | Medical Xpress, UK

'All door staff should carry life-saving drug'

A door supervisor has said a life-saving drug should be carried as standard by security staff, after he helped a man during an overdose. Charlie Smith used a syringe filled with naloxone to reverse the effects of a drug overdose while working in Sheffield earlier this year. The 24-year-old said he was "terrified" when the man collapsed in a doorway on Division Street - but he was able to administer the drug thanks to training | BBC, UK

Empowering clients through technology

The Forward Trust has trialled a Digital Inclusion Lead scheme in East Kent, Medway and Southend. This pilot aims to support clients with essential digital tools and support. With digital inclusion leads (DILs) appointed at each community service hub, clients in need can now be given a SIM card (with free limited data, calls and text), enabling them to connect with vital services, stay connected to others and improve their digital literacy | DDN, UK

More smokers need to set quit date - health bosses

Telford & Wrekin Council could see a "smoke free alliance" between police, councils and health bodies, according to its director of public health Helen Onions | BBC, UK

Turning Point: Health and Social Care with Purpose

In light of recent tragic events and media coverage, we understand there may be confusion about who we are. We want to be absolutely clear: Turning Point is a health and social care provider, supporting over 197,000 people in more than 300 locations across England | Turning Point, UK

Colombian national jailed for role in plot to import over half a tonne of cocaine

The final member of a drugs smuggling gang who attempted to import cocaine with a street value of £42 million into the UK on a small boat has been jailed | NCA, UK

International news

Raising retail prices on alcoholic beverages preferred by high-risk groups (males, those of low socioeconomic status, and those with heavy alcohol use) might selectively reduce their alcohol consumption. However, the differential impact of beverage-specific price increases on US population groups has yet to be studied. This study aimed to simulate the effect of beverage-specific price increases on alcohol use within subgroups of the adult US population defined by sex, educational attainment, and alcohol use category | Lancet Public Health, UK

Experts alarmed as Trump pushes unproven link between Tylenol and autism

Doctors call president’s warning that pregnant women should limit use of acetaminophen – also known as paracetamol - ‘highly concerning’ and ‘irresponsible’ | Guardian, UK

Dominican Republic says it recovered cocaine from speedboat destroyed by US Navy

Officials said the boat was destroyed about 80 nautical miles south of Isla Beata | Independent, UK

Teenage vapers get new warnings on how nicotine ‘can change your brain’

Even brief exposure to nicotine can make it harder to learn or concentrate, and it can produce lasting changes in the teenage brain, a respiratory consultant has warned | Irish Independent, Ireland

Doctors warn pregnant patients to avoid cannabis, new guidance says

Pregnant people should stay away from cannabis, and doctors should ask all patients about its use before, during and after pregnancy, according to new guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) | Medical Xpress, USA

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita and Suicide

This meta-analysis included 13 studies and found that a 1-L increase in alcohol consumption per capita was associated with a 3.59% increase in the suicide mortality rate. There was no evidence of a sex difference in this association | JAMA Network Open, USA

Indigenous OD Mortality Plummets in Minnesota, But Disparity Remains

Indigenous people face persistent disparities in access to harm reduction services in the United States. In response, Native American health workers and their allies have worked tirelessly to bring resources like naloxone, medications for opioid use disorder and drug checking to tribal communities | Filter Magazine, USA

Health officials trying to tackle massive and 'tragic' use of vapes among teens

E-cigarettes are easy to obtain and difficult to detect by parents and teachers | CBC News, Canada

Blogs, comment and opinion

Public Support for Right to Recovery Ignored

The Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee has recommended against the Right to Recovery Bill | FAVOR, UK

More Americans meet criteria for high blood pressure under new guidelines

The guidelines encourage people to limit alcohol intake because alcohol increases blood pressure. A 2023 meta-analysis of seven studies with nearly 20,000 people showed that systolic blood pressure will increase by about 1mmHg for every 10 grams of alcohol consumed. A standard beer contains about 14 grams of alcohol, so regular alcohol consumption may increase blood pressure by several points over time. For people who have been drinking an excessive amount of alcohol but stop, their blood pressure may come back down | Conversation, USA

Banning something to reduce harm is a tricky business. Here’s what works

The upcoming social media ban for people aged under 16 continues to be hotly debated. Bans in public policy are a blunt instrument with a mixed track record of success. Some issues are better suited to a ban than others. So what determines the success or failure of banning and what can be done instead? | Conversation, Australia

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