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Weekly news - 10th April 2026

In date order, Monday to Friday

Harm Reduction Implications of Vaping Overtaking Smoking in Great Britain

In 2024, for the first time since national records began, more adults in Great Britain used e-cigarettes than smoked tobacco cigarettes. Data released by the UK Office for National Statistics in November 2025 showed that 10.0% of adults aged 16 years and over were current e-cigarette users, compared with 9.1% who smoked tobacco | IJPH, UK

Shisha tobacco’s availability is rising. Why does UK smoking policy fail to tackle it?

Upcoming law changes could tackle the public health impact of this pipe smoked tobacco—but only with increased awareness and culturally competent support, says Zainab Hussain | BMJ, UK

Rise in number of girls being identified as victims in county lines exploitation, data shows

Charities suggest ‘gendered understanding’ of crime means services often fail to recognise girls and young women as victims | Guardian, UK

'Medical cannabis cost my brother everything'

The brother of a man who took his own life while on medical cannabis has launched a campaign to tighten rules on its access for patients with complex mental health issues | BBC, UK

Treat jailed drug dealers like radical extremists, says prisons watchdog

Charlie Taylor, inspector of prisons for England and Wales, says dealers should be isolated and ‘assertively managed’ | Guardian, UK

Injecting equipment provision in Scotland

This annual release by Public Health Scotland (PHS) presents information on injecting equipment provision (IEP) services in Scotland. This includes the number of outlets; attendances and the types of injecting equipment distributed to people who used controlled drugs (including Novel Psychoactive Substances and Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs) in Scotland in 2024/25 | PHS, 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 (1 July 2025 to 30 September 2025). Figures are presented separately for kits issued from community-based services (mainly specialist drug treatment and non-drug treatment services), kits issued in prisons at the point of liberation, kits dispensed via community prescription, and kits issued by Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) | PHS, UK

Jameson Whiskey and Drinkaware team up with renowned football manager Alan Curbishley to encourage fans to ‘Know Your Score’

New campaign urges football fans to check their drinking habits as the season reaches its final stages | Drinkaware, UK

The Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) is exploring a proposal to open a safer drug consumption facility (SDCF) in Edinburgh’s Old Town. The consultation will help us to understand whether people think we should develop a plan for an SDCF. We would particularly like to hear from people who would be most affected by the facility. This includes people who take drugs and their families, and people who live and work around the possible locations | City of Edinburgh Council, UK

Warning dangerous vape incident is 'not isolated'

A child falling ill from what is believed to be a dangerous vape was "not an isolated incident", according to an MP. An 11-year-old boy was hospitalised after using a vape in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset on Tuesday. The vape's contents are being tested by police. The town's MP Dan Aldridge said he was "deeply concerned" by the news, and was calling on the government to take action to prevent similar incidents in the future | BBC, UK

What Are the Characteristics of Households That Purchase Alcohol-Free and Low-Alcohol Drinks in Great Britain in 2018 and 2021?

[Open access] The increasing popularity of alcohol-free and low-alcohol (NoLo) drinks could reduce alcohol-related harm if those at greatest risk replace their standard alcoholic drinks with these products. This paper aimed to identify: (i) characteristics associated with occasional purchase of NoLo drinks in Great Britain in 2021; and (ii) whether these characteristics changed between 2018 and 2021 | Addiction, UK

Putting people first: A new, collaborative model for detox in London

Detox services can play a life-changing role in someone’s drug or alcohol treatment journey. Change Grow Live's new partnership approach to inpatient detoxification in the capital ensures people can explore the full range of treatment options and make informed decisions about their next steps | Change Grow Live, UK

Draft London Strategic Licensing Policy 2026–31

The GLA is currently working on a new Strategic Licensing pilot for London and we are hoping to make contact with voluntary and community sector organisations who have expertise to share that is relevant to the development of aspects of the pilot | Mayor of London, UK

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