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Weekly news - 4th October 2024

 

In date order, Monday to Friday

Minimum price of alcohol in Scotland rises by 30%

The minimum price at which alcohol can be sold in Scotland has risen by 30% in an attempt to keep up with inflation over the past six years | BBC, UK

Get ready for Stoptober

This October, join the 2.5 million people who’ve been inspired by Stoptober. Even if it’s your first time or you’ve tried before, Stoptober gives you the perfect opportunity to quit smoking. Stay smoke-free for 28 days, and you’re 5 times more likely to quit for good | NHS, UK

Alcohol at work: it’s time to rethink the drink

Alcohol consumption can have a variety of negative impacts on workers and the wider business, so it’s essential to create a workplace culture where staff understand the health risks, don’t face pressure to drink at company events and would feel comfortable raising concerns about their own or others’ drinking | British Safety Council, UK

Adult smoking habits in the UK: 2023

Cigarette smoking habits among adults in the UK, including how many people smoke, differences between population groups, changes over time and use of e-cigarettes | ONS, UK

Smoking profile for England: statistical commentary, October 2024 update

An overview of the extent of smoking, smoking-related harm and the measures being taken to reduce this harm at a local level in England | OHID, UK

Steep fall in young smokers in past decade

Fewer than one out of every 10 young adults in the UK smoke cigarettes - a steep drop from a quarter of 18-24-year-olds 12 years ago, according to official estimates, external | BBC, UK

Vaping set to overtake smoking in the United Kingdom as research and policy endorses tobacco harm reduction - new GSTHR Briefing Paper

This latest Briefing Paper focuses on the remarkable shift from smoking to vaping that has taken place in the United Kingdom in recent years. It explores some of the reasons behind the UK’s rapid and growing embrace of vaping, and provides another important case study showcasing the potential of tobacco harm reduction through the adoption of safer nicotine products (SNP), following our recent Briefing Paper on the effect heated tobacco products have had in Japan | GSTHR, UK

UK’s biggest charity merger promises a Waythrough for people dealing with drug and alcohol, mental health and housing challenges

Waythrough, which launched on October 1st, combines the expertise and resources of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship, two national charities that share values, ambitions and decades of experience supporting people with substance use, mental health, housing and associated needs | Waythrough, UK

One million people in England vape despite never having smoked regularly, study finds

Researchers suggest stricter regulation as one in 10 people in Britain aged 16 or over now use e-cigarettes | Guardian, UK

‘Councils can help government eliminate smoking’ - LGA on ONS smoking figures

Council public health teams work hard to help reduce smoking rates and it is testament to their efforts that smoking rates continue to fall | Local Government, UK

MHRA e-cigarette and vape products regulator profile

Information on the other regulatory bodies responsible for e-cigarette and vape products | MHRA, UK

Forecasting the effects of smoking prevalence scenarios on years of life lost and life expectancy from 2022 to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

The pace of decline in smoking prevalence has slowed in recent years for many countries, and although strategies have recently been proposed to achieve tobacco-free generations, none have been implemented to date. Assessing what could happen if current trends in smoking prevalence persist, and what could happen if additional smoking prevalence reductions occur, is important for communicating the effect of potential smoking policies | Lancet, UK

Deaths linked to potent synthetic opioids

This report contains information on the numbers of deaths associated with potent synthetic opioids (nitazenes or fentanyls). The data has been collected by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and the National Crime Agency | OHID, UK

How to talk about alcohol

We need a new way of talking about alcohol which broadens understanding of the many ways alcohol causes harm - a story which can build a movement for change. That's why we're excited to share new research and an evidence-based framing toolkit to help us all tell a more powerful story about alcohol | Alcohol Change UK, UK

Is vaping bad for you and how are the rules changing?

The number of adults and young people using e-cigarettes and vapes has increased as smoking rates have fallen. Labour says it will take forward the previous, Conservative government's plans to stop vapes being marketed to children, to help create a smoke-free generation | BBC, UK

Counselling 'invaluable' after daughter's death

A Strabane mother whose daughter died after taking suspected "extra-strength" drugs has said a new mental health centre in the County Tyrone town has helped her get her life back on track | BBC, UK

New drug needle exchange 'life-saving', say experts

A new enhanced drug needle exchange has opened in Belfast City Centre. The service is operated by the charity Extern, which says there is an alarming increase in the number of people injecting drugs in Northern Ireland. In 2023, a total of 31,851 transactions were made by the Needle and Syringe Exchange Service across Northern Ireland | BBC, UK