
Channel Islanders reminded of MMR vaccination following UK death
She said: "While Jersey has reassuring MMR vaccination coverage, we know a small number of islanders have not had both doses. "This puts them at risk, so I encourage all islanders to make sure that they and their children are fully vaccinated."Ms Baker added: "Measles is circulating in parts of the UK and Europe, so please before you travel, we are calling all parents and guardians to make sure their children are up to date with their two MMR doses."
Vaccine 'strongly encouraged'
The States of Guernsey said it was aware of high measles cases in parts of the UK and in Europe.It said the disease could cause serious problems if it spread to other parts of the body, including pneumonia, meningitis, blindness and seizures. Dr Nicola Brink, Director of Public Health, said the MMR vaccine was available free of charge for those up to the age of 25.She said: "Our data demonstrates that the number of children receiving two doses of a measles containing vaccine is reassuringly high. "However, we know that some families have chosen not to have their children vaccinated against measles and we would like to take this opportunity to strongly encourage them to take up this offer. "This is particularly important with the circulation of measles in neighbouring jurisdictions, and the possibility that many people are travelling over the summer break."
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Britons smoke an estimated 28.6 billion cigarettes every year, study finds
An estimated 28.6 billion cigarettes are smoked in Britain each year, the equivalent of 78 million a day, according to new analysis. There are particularly high levels of consumption in more disadvantaged areas, with researchers calling for targeted public health efforts to tackle smoking rates. Charities warned the 'staggering figure' is a 'stark reminder of the deadly toll of inaction', and urged the Government to prioritise the Tobacco and Vapes Bill after Parliament's summer recess. The Cancer Research UK study, carried out by experts at University College London (UCL), used monthly Smoking Toolkit Study data from between 2022 and 2024. The analysis estimates adults who smoked consumed an average of 10.4 cigarettes per day, with 5.5% of those smoking more than 20 a day. Average consumption per smoker per year was 528 cigarettes, equating to 28.6 billion per year. Office for National Statistics (ONS) data suggests 11.9% adults in the UK – the equivalent of six million people – smoked in 2023, the lowest proportion since current records began in 2011. However, England could struggle to meet its smokefree target of 5% by 2030 if current trends continue, according to Cancer Research UK, with projections suggesting it may not be met until 2039. The study also highlighted inequalities in cigarette consumption in Britain. People from more deprived backgrounds smoked 11 cigarettes a day on average, compared to those in wealthier areas, who smoked 9.4 per day. Researchers also found people in the North East and Scotland smoked the most – 11.7 each – while people in London and the South West smoked the least, with 8.4 and 9.5 cigarettes respectively. Dr Sarah Jackson, research fellow at UCL's Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, said bringing down consumption rates can improve public health and also help the environment. 'Tackling smoking is not just about preventing uptake among future generations,' she said. 'Supporting the six million people in the UK who currently smoke cigarettes to quit will have major benefits for public health and for the environment. 'Despite declining smoking rates, over 28 billion cigarettes are still consumed in Great Britain each year, generating up to 140,000 metric tons of toxic, non-biodegradable waste annually. 'Reducing cigarette consumption, particularly in the most affected regions and communities, is critical not only to save lives and narrow health inequalities, but also to protect our environment from one of the most pervasive forms of plastic pollution.' Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK, said: 'While great strides have been made to bring down smoking rates, we can't afford to be complacent. 'Every week, around 550 million cigarettes are still smoked in Britain – that's enough to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool. It's vital that everyone, wherever they live, can access the support they need to quit smoking for good.' Dr Walker described the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as 'a historic opportunity to help stub out the harms of smoking' but said it is frustrating the the legislation 'isn't progressing through Parliament as quickly as it should be'. The legislation – which cleared the House of Commons in March – will prevent anyone born on or after January 1 2009 from legally smoking if it becomes law. It is set to undergo further scrutiny in the House of Lords. However, around 20 billion cigarettes have been smoked in Britain since the bill was reintroduced in Commons in November last year, according to the analysis. Dr Walker added: 'Tobacco is a toxic product that should have no place in our future, and I urge all parliamentarians to back a smokefree UK and prioritise this Bill when it returns to the House of Lords. 'This world-leading legislation has strong political and public support that can't be ignored.' Reacting to the study, Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), said: 'Since Parliament last debated the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, an estimated 6.7 billion cigarettes have been smoked in the UK. 'That staggering figure is a stark reminder of the deadly toll of inaction. Every day that passes without this legislation is a day lost in protecting our children from addiction and improving public health. 'We urge the Government to make this Bill a priority immediately after summer recess. The country cannot afford further delay – this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a smokefree future, and it must not be squandered.'


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Britons smoke nearly 30 billion cigarettes every year, study finds
An estimated 28.6 billion cigarettes are smoked in Britain each year, equating to 78 million every day, according to a new analysis that highlights stark inequalities in consumption across the country. Researchers are now calling for targeted public health efforts to address these disparities and tackle persistent smoking rates. Charities have branded the "staggering figure" a "stark reminder of the deadly toll of inaction", urging the Government to prioritise the Tobacco and Vapes Bill once Parliament reconvenes after its summer recess. The study, conducted by Cancer Research UK in collaboration with experts at University College London (UCL), drew on monthly data from the Smoking Toolkit Study between 2022 and 2024. It estimates that adults who smoke consume an average of 10.4 cigarettes daily, with 5.5 per cent of smokers exceeding 20 cigarettes a day. This translates to an average of 528 cigarettes per smoker annually, culminating in the 28.6 billion figure for Great Britain. While Office for National Statistics (ONS) data indicates that 11.9 per cent of UK adults – approximately six million people – smoked in 2023, marking the lowest proportion since records began in 2011, England faces a significant challenge. Cancer Research UK warns that the nation could struggle to meet its smokefree target of 5 per cent by 2030, with projections suggesting this goal may not be achieved until 2039 if current trends persist. The analysis also underscored significant inequalities in cigarette consumption. Individuals from more deprived backgrounds smoked an average of 11 cigarettes daily, compared to 9.4 per day among those in wealthier areas. Regionally, the North East and Scotland recorded the highest consumption, with 11.7 cigarettes each per day, while London and the South West reported the lowest, at 8.4 and 9.5 cigarettes respectively. Dr Sarah Jackson, a research fellow at UCL's Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, emphasised the dual benefits of reducing consumption. "Tackling smoking is not just about preventing uptake among future generations," she stated. "Supporting the six million people in the UK who currently smoke cigarettes to quit will have major benefits for public health and for the environment." Dr Jackson highlighted that despite declining rates, over 28 billion cigarettes are still consumed annually, generating "up to 140,000 metric tons of toxic, non-biodegradable waste". She added: "Reducing cigarette consumption, particularly in the most affected regions and communities, is critical not only to save lives and narrow health inequalities, but also to protect our environment from one of the most pervasive forms of plastic pollution." Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK, stressed the need for continued vigilance. "While great strides have been made to bring down smoking rates, we can't afford to be complacent," he said. "Every week, around 550 million cigarettes are still smoked in Britain – that's enough to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool. It's vital that everyone, wherever they live, can access the support they need to quit smoking for good." Dr Walker described the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as "a historic opportunity to help stub out the harms of smoking" but expressed frustration that the legislation "isn't progressing through Parliament as quickly as it should be". The bill, which cleared the House of Commons in March, aims to prevent anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, from legally smoking if it becomes law. It is currently awaiting further scrutiny in the House of Lords. However, the analysis reveals that approximately 20 billion cigarettes have been smoked in Britain since the bill was reintroduced in the Commons last November. Dr Walker urged: "Tobacco is a toxic product that should have no place in our future, and I urge all parliamentarians to back a smokefree UK and prioritise this Bill when it returns to the House of Lords. This world-leading legislation has strong political and public support that can't be ignored." Reacting to the study, Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health (Ash), underscored the urgency. "Since Parliament last debated the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, an estimated 6.7 billion cigarettes have been smoked in the UK," she said. "That staggering figure is a stark reminder of the deadly toll of inaction. Every day that passes without this legislation is a day lost in protecting our children from addiction and improving public health. We urge the Government to make this Bill a priority immediately after summer recess. The country cannot afford further delay – this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a smokefree future, and it must not be squandered."
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The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
What is causing Florida beachgoer deaths
Florida has already recorded four deaths this year from Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium, following a record number of cases in 2023. Last year saw 19 deaths and 82 cases, a significant increase attributed to late-season hurricanes Milton and Helene, which caused saltwater to move inland. Vibrio vulnificus infections, though rare, can be fatal, especially for those with weakened immune systems, and can lead to severe outcomes like amputation. The bacterium naturally occurs in brackish seawater and spreads through open cuts or by consuming raw shellfish, particularly oysters. Experts warn that climate change exacerbates these risks, and recent research indicates Vibrio pathogens are adapting to stick to microplastics and sargassum blooms.