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Weekly news - 15th May 2026

 

In date order, Monday to Friday

RCP calls for opt out quit support across all NHS services

A new report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) sets out the unequal and devastating health and economic impact of smoking in the UK, shaped by poverty, poor housing, employment insecurity and industry practices. The report calls on government to introduce opt out tobacco dependency treatment across all NHS services | RCP, UK

Free anti-vaping resources launched for schools

A set of free educational resources designed to teach primary school children about the risks of vaping has been launched following a trial at several schools | BBC, UK

Further warning issued over contaminated drugs

A further warning has been issued over suspected contaminated drugs, including cocaine, believed to be circulating in North East Lincolnshire. North East Lincolnshire Council said the warning was being issued ahead of the weekend after a "recent increase in overdoses" reported locally | BBC, UK

Alcohol-specific deaths in the UK: registered in 2024

In 2024 there were 9,809 deaths from alcohol-specific causes were registered in the UK, the lowest number since 2021 (9,641 deaths), and the rate of alcohol-specific deaths (14.8 per 100,000 people) decreased to its lowest recorded number since 2020 (13.9 deaths per 100,000 people) | ONS, UK

UK alcohol deaths fall for first time since Covid pandemic

According to data released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), 9,809 deaths from alcohol-specific causes were registered in the UK in 2024. In what one expert calls a "modest reduction", it marks the lowest number since 2021 and the lowest rate since 2020 at 14.8 deaths per 100,000 people | BBC, UK

Hepatitis C in England 2025

This report summarises England’s progress towards the World Health Organization (WHO) elimination targets for hepatitis C virus infection with data to the end of 2024 | UKHSA, UK

When will Britain face its opioid crisis?

Our data reveals new overdose hotspots. But how many people are dying? The Government doesn't know | Dispatch, UK

Almost two-thirds of Brits would back smoke and vape-free pub gardens, poll says

The move would be one of a handful of "common sense" next steps to "support a smoke-free generation", according to the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) | ITV, UK

Our piloted and trialed Key Stage 2 vaping resources are now available for all to download free of charge

The free comprehensive vaping resources for Key stage 2 for schools include a suite of stand alone games, pictures, activities, lesson plans, PowerPoints and implementation guidance available for you to download and use! | Talk About Trust, UK

Drug use in ethnic minority groups: a review and recommendations

This report reviews drug use in ethnic minority groups and outlines recommendations for further data collection | ACMD, UK

Genetic link between cannabis use and psychosis could help to identify those most at risk

New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London has highlighted the distinct and shared molecular pathways linking cannabis use disorder (CUD) and psychosis, offering the potential for identifying those at risk, as well as targeted interventions for cannabis-related psychosis | Medical Xpress, UK

After a hard-fought victory to legalise medical cannabis in the UK, why is it still so hard to access?

Two mothers fought British bureaucracy to obtain lifesaving cannabis medicines for their children. But most patients are having to go private – at huge cost | Guardian, UK [See also article in Blogs section below]

Framing addiction as a compulsive brain disease lowers readiness to change addictive behavior in alcohol consumers, in two exploratory experiments

[Open access] In two studies, heavy/regularly drinking university students in England who were randomly allocated to read scientific passages describing addiction as a brain disease were less willing to reduce their drinking than students allocated to quotes portraying addiction as a value-based choice. The results were "consistent in demonstrating a [relative] harmful effect of framing addiction as a brain disease" | Addiction Research Theory, UK

Greenspace programs and recovery from substance use and mental health challenges: evaluating nature-based interventions through the lens of recovery capital

[Open access] Interviews with staff and users suggest that "Connecting to nature through greenspace programs helped participants reflect on life meaning and purpose." | DEPP, UK

Nested family support: the axial role of support workers for families in which a parent is in treatment for substance misuse

[Open access] In-depth exploration of a specialist service in England aiming to support the whole family of a parent in substance use treatment. Key finding is that "supporting the support worker is vital to the [service's] successful operation". | Journal Addictive Diseases, UK

Family criticise test delays at drug death inquest

The family of a man who died in a drugs-related incident have said that the system for testing blood samples after death "is not fit for purpose" in Kent | BBC, UK

Dad 'would still be here' without booze deliveries

Two sisters have said their alcoholic father could still be alive had he not been allowed to repeatedly order booze on delivery apps. Glenn Perkins, from Kent, died in January aged 55 after long term alcohol-related problems, according to his twin daughters. Connie Perkins said that Uber Eats told her in 2022 that she could not prevent her father from ordering alcohol on their platform as she was not the account holder | BBC, UK