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Weekly news - 31st January 2025

In date order, Monday to Friday

Smokers unlikely to quit with just willpower, say researchers

Those using e-cigarettes, medication or heated tobacco products are more likely to successfully give up smoking | Guardian, UK

Smoking at work: the law

Newly published guidance on smoking in any enclosed workplace, public building or on public transport in the UK | DHSC, UK

Channel Islanders concerned over antisocial behaviour due to alcohol in new survey

More than 85% of islanders in Jersey and Guernsey are concerned about antisocial behaviour due to alcohol, a new survey has revealed. Over 2,600 residents from the Bailiwicks responded to a new Island Global Research survey on alcohol consumption | ITV, UK

Police Scotland reports 18 Highland drug deaths amid rise in dealing offences as Chief Superintendent Robert Shepherd says the numbers are of ‘significant concern’

Police Scotland have reported a rise in drug deaths as well as drug dealing in new figures that are due to be reported to Highland Council with 18 fatalities – up three on the previous year | Inverness Courier, UK

How do MPs’ views on drugs policy compare to the British public’s?

MPs have not voted on legalising cannabis since 2018, when proposals were voted down in a sparsely populated House of Commons, but a new YouGov survey offers insight into how a future vote might go. The results show that 50% of MPs are opposed to cannabis legalisation when asked in a support/oppose format, compared to 39% who would be in support | YouGov, UK

Welsh NHS Confederation response to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill

The Welsh NHS Confederation welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Health and Social Care Committee’s scrutiny of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill | NHS Confederation, UK

It's supposed to curb vaping... but could cause a boom in 'dangerous' black market sales

There are ambitious plans to create the first 'smoke free generation' - but there are fears it could lead to a surge in buying counterfeit items | Manchester Evening News, UK

Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response (RADAR) quarterly report

Drug-related harms decreased during the most recent quarter (September to November 2024). However, intelligence suggests the drug supply remains highly toxic and unpredictable, requiring ongoing vigilance and a heightened response. Significant disruptions and adaptations in the heroin and benzodiazepine markets, appear to be influencing levels and patterns of harm | Public Health Scotland, UK

[Open access] Alcohol consumption and its associated harms pose a significant challenge to public health in the UK. To address this issue, Wales implemented a Minimum Unit Price policy (MUP) in February 2020, setting a minimum price of 50p per UK unit of alcohol (10 ml/8 g). In this study we evaluate the policy's impact on alcohol sales metrics to gauge its effectiveness in improving public health outcomes | Public Health, UK

1 in 4 drug-related deaths involve cocaine

Latest figures from Public Health Wales show that cocaine was involved in 65 deaths in 2023, accounting for a quarter of all drug misuse fatalities and ranking as the third most common substance, following opioids and benzodiazepines | Public Health Wales, UK

Government response to the ACMD on fifth addendum on nitazenes and related opioids (PDF)

Letter from Dame Diana Johnson, Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, responding to the ACMD's recent advice | ACMD, UK

Cocaine most used drug in Glasgow consumption room

Most people who are using Glasgow's new safe drug consumption room are using cocaine, according to health bosses | BBC, UK

Sheffield research shows Drink Less app could save lives and millions for the NHS

A new study led by Professor Colin Angus of the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) has revealed the significant potential of the Drink Less app in reducing alcohol-related harm and saving the NHS millions of pounds | University of Sheffield, UK

Young people support the idea of a smokefree generation, according to a new study

Young people broadly welcome the idea of the Government’s smokefree generation policy and see it as a chance to free their generation from harmful addiction, according to a study led by the University of Nottingham | University of Nottingham, UK

Official Statistics: Substance misuse treatment in secure settings: 2023 to 2024

Statistics for alcohol and drug misuse treatment in prisons and other secure settings from the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS). There were 49,881 adults aged 18 and over in alcohol and drug treatment in prisons and secure settings between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. This is a 7% rise compared to the previous year (46,551). The number of adults in treatment has increased year on year for the last 3 years, and the number in treatment this year is 14% higher than in 2020 to 2021, the lowest number of adults in treatment in the last 5 years | OHID, UK

Recovery support services as part of the continuum of care for alcohol or drug use disorders

[Open access] Identifies and reviews the evidence for six modalities researched as ways to support people recovering from addiction to rebuild their lives: peer support; facilitating employment; recovery-friendly housing; continuing care/check-ups; recovery-focused community centres; and support in educational settings | Addiction, UK

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