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Weekly news - 6th June 2025

 

In date order, Monday to Friday

Disposable vape ban begins - but will it have an impact?

The ban on the sale of single-use disposable vapes will come into force on Sunday across the UK, aimed at protecting children's health and the environment | BBC, UK

Public support for a smokefree society (PDF)

As the Tobacco and Vapes Bill nears the end of its journey through Parliament, new data on public attitudes in England reveal widespread support for further Government action to deliver a smokefree society | ASH, UK

Warning issued after two suspected opioid deaths

An investigation is under way into the "sudden deaths" of a 28-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman in Southall on 26 May, the Metropolitan Police said. "This is following reports that the individuals allegedly passed away after taking an illicit substance in the form of a green pill," a spokesperson for the force added | BBC, UK

DDN June 2025 - out now

‘The ripple effect that keeps growing and growing.’ Bernard describes the ethos of a programme that’s helping people through the difficult stages after leaving prison (p6). That connection at the prison gate can be transformative – an introduction to peers and partnerships that can open up a world of opportunity. ‘It’s a lifeline for me,’ says Lee, a volunteer working with the project after 19 years behind bars | DDN, UK

ACMD 3-year work programme 2025 to 2028: commissioning letter

Letter from Minister Johnson to the Chair of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) setting out the priorities for ACMD's work programme | Home Office and The Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP, UK

Tube drug use falls for first time in three years

The number of incidents of drug use on London Underground has fallen for the first time in three years, figures show. The British Transport Police (BTP) recorded 470 incidents in 2024-25, down from 589 the previous year. The data, released by Transport for London (TfL) in response to a Freedom of Information request, external, recorded 63 instances of white powder or substance in its drug log and 56 reports of cannabis | BBC, UK

Ban on disposable vapes welcomed by NHS body

Claire Parker, director of strategy and development at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: "It's a really good opportunity to raise the discussion about vaping and smoking and quitting." | BBC, UK

New project aims to embed youth voices in local tobacco and vape policymaking

A collaborative project emphasising the crucial role of young people's voices in shaping public health policy has been awarded funding from the NIHR School for Public Health Research (SPHR) | SARG, UK

The Loop warns about deadly nitazene pills

Drug-checking charity The Loop has issued a warning after pills confirmed to contain nitazenes were associated with two recent deaths | DDN, UK

Opioid ‘hundred times stronger than heroin’ linked to UK clubbing deaths for first time

Nightclubs such as Ministry of Sound and Fabric have issued warnings over the new blue-green pill being sold in London | Independent, UK

Avoidable deaths in 2023 remain higher than pre-pandemic

Nearly one in six avoidable deaths were alcohol or drug-related. Avoidable deaths from alcohol and drug-related causes have risen over the past decade. The rate of avoidable deaths from alcohol and drug-related causes in 2023 was the third highest since 2001. Only 2020 and 2021 recorded higher levels | National Records of Scotland, UK

Health survey 'not an easy read', director says

Brighton and Hove's largest ever health survey is "not an easy read" as it shows "inequalities affecting our communities", the council's director of public health says. The survey found that: 25% of those living in the most deprived areas smoked, compared to 9% of those living in the least deprived areas / 37% of those in the most deprived areas drank alcohol at increasing, higher risk or possible dependence level (combined) rates compared to 48% living in the least deprived areas / 20% had taken drugs not prescribed to them and not available at a chemist or pharmacy in the last 12 months | BBC, UK

National naloxone programme Scotland - Quarterly monitoring bulletin

This release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) presents information on the number of take-home naloxone kits issued by the National Naloxone Programme (NNP) in Scotland. Figures are presented separately for kits issued from community outlets, kits issued in prisons at the point of liberation, kits dispensed via community prescription, and kits issued by Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) | PHS, UK

Council gets £10m boost for drug and alcohol support

Lancashire County Council has been handed more than £10m by the government to prevent drug and alcohol-related deaths and help those with addiction issues. The authority said the cash, which has been put together by consolidating other grants for services like recovery programs and housing schemes for vulnerable people, was one of the largest amounts allocated across England | BBC, UK

European Drug Report 2025: Trends and Developments

The European Drug Report 2025: Trends and Developments presents the EUDA’s latest analysis of the drug situation in Europe. Focusing on illicit drug use, related harms and drug supply, the report provides a comprehensive set of national data across these themes, as well as on specialist drug treatment and key harm reduction interventions | EUDA, Portugal