Latest news with #ActionOnSmokingAndHealth
The Independent
27-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
The three lifestyle factors putting a million UK adults at risk of dying early
About a million people in England are putting themselves at risk of dying early because they are overweight and combine drinking too much and smoking, research has found. The 'triple threat' disproportionately raises their risk of diseases including cancer, heart disease, stroke, Type-2 diabetes, liver disease and mental health conditions, experts warn. One doctor said the combination may cut 20 years from someone's life. Analysis of a Health Survey for England by charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) found that 22 per cent of adults in England – at least 10 million people – have two or more of the three risk factors. About 2 per cent – a million adults – fall into all three categories. Public-health experts warned two years ago that high levels of obesity, excessive drinking and health inequalities were costing the economy £15bn a year. Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chairman of the Alcohol Health Alliance, said each of the three habits carried a risk, but when combined the danger is exaggerated. 'These poor health outcomes are not only avoidable, but they also place a huge and growing strain on the NHS and our economy,' he said. "We urgently need a joined-up approach to public health policymaking that tackles these issues together, rather than in isolation, if we are to see the much-needed governmental shift from sickness to prevention.' The combined effects of smoking, drinking and being overweight are often greater than the sum of individual risks, studies have shown. The new analysis of 2021 data also found that: ● 5.9 million people (13 per cent of adults) have factors of being overweight or obesity and drinking ● 2.5 million (6 per cent of adults) are overweight or obese and smoke ● 0.6 million (1 per cent of adults) drink and smoke without being overweight Prof Gilmore, a former president of the Royal College of Physicians, told The Guardian it was likely that smoking, grade three obesity and heavy drinking would reduce life expectancy by at least 20 years. Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said: 'These are not issues of individual behaviour, but issues of industry behaviour or tactics. 'Behind the statistics on smoking, alcohol and unhealthy food-related disease lie multi-million-pound industries that operate in darkly similar ways – producing, marketing and selling products that damage our wellbeing. 'The government will not be able to meet its ambition of shifting from prevention to treatment until it recognises this.' Caroline Cerny, the deputy chief executive of Ash, said the government's forthcoming 10-year plan was an opportunity to 'get a firm grip on the causes of ill health that are shortening the lives of people and placing a huge strain on the NHS'. She called for targets to cut smoking, drinking and excess weight, introducing minimum-unit pricing of alcohol in England and extending the sugar tax. Health secretary Wes Streeting is next week due to unveil his 10-year plan for the NHS, aimed at tackling inequalities through fundamental reforms, and measures such as sending health workers door-to-door. People will be urged to monitor their own health with technology such as smart watches that monitor blood pressure and glucose levels. The Department of Health and Social Care was approached for comment but a spokesperson told The Guardian ministers were committed to tackling obesity through a ban on the advertising of junk food on television before 9pm and a planned new food strategy. They also an extra £310m had been put to treatment of drug and alcohol addiction, while the Tobacco and Vapes Bill phases out the sale of cigarettes.
The Guardian
27-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Smoking, drinking too much and being overweight ‘puts one in 50 adults in England at risk of early death'
One in 50 people aged 16 or older in England is at risk of an early death because they smoke, drink too much and are overweight, research has found. This 'triple threat' increases the risk of diseases such as cancer and diabetes and in some cases dying as much as 20 years earlier than they should, a senior doctor has said. About 1 million people in England are living with that threat, an analysis of the Health Survey for England by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) revealed. They are the 2.2% of the population who use tobacco, drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week and are overweight or obese, as judged by having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or more. However, 10 million – 22% of the population – exhibit two of the three risky behaviours, Ash found, while 33.9 million (73.6%) have at least one risk factor. Prof Sir Ian Gilmore, the chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, said: 'It is staggering that as many as one in 50 adults in England are at a much higher risk of dying because of the combination of tobacco, alcohol and unhealthy food. 'Smoking, alcohol and excess weight each significantly increase the risk of serious health problems like cancer, heart disease and liver disease. When these risk factors are combined, the danger to people's health is even greater, leading to higher chances of early death and more years in poor health. 'Together they create a toxic combination that can lead to long-term disability and early death.' A lifelong smoking habit reduces someone's life expectancy by about 10 years and grade three obesity – being severely obese with a BMI of more than 40 – does so by a similar amount. The UK's four chief medical officers recommend that no one drinks more than 14 units of alcohol a week. Gilmore, a former president of the Royal College of Physicians, added: 'Although the risks of two or more risk factors are not purely additive, it is likely that smoking, grade three obesity and heavy drinking will reduce life expectancy by at least 20 years.' Ash also found that: 12.7% of people in England (5.9 million) are overweight and drink more than 14 units but do not smoke. 5.5% (2.5 million) are overweight and smoke but drink less than 14 units. 1.4% (600,000) smoke and drink more than 14 units but have a normal weight. Caroline Cerny, the deputy chief executive of Ash, said: 'The findings are extremely worrying. They provide an insight into the challenges facing the NHS both now and in the future.' The burden of illness in England is rising due to the ageing and growing population and impact of lifestyle-related conditions linked to smoking, drinking and poor diet. Research by the Health Foundation has found that 9 million more people will be living with conditions such as cancer, diabetes, dementia, kidney disease and depression by 2040. Cerny urged Wes Streeting, the health secretary, to include robust measures to improve public health in the government's forthcoming 10-year plan for the NHS. They should include targets to cut smoking, alcohol consumption and overweight, introducing minimum unit pricing of alcohol in England and extending the sugar tax to other unhealthy foods, she said. The Department of Health and Social Care did not comment directly on the findings. A spokesperson said the 10-year health plan, due next Thursday, would shift the NHS from treatment to prevention. Ministers are committed to tackling obesity through a ban on the advertising of junk food on TV before 9pm and a planned new food strategy, they said. They also cited the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, an increase in the public health grant and an extra £310m for treatment of drug and alcohol addiction as evidence of the government's action on public health.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cleethorpes beachgoers share thoughts on smoking ban
A survey by campaign group Action on Smoking and Health shows public support for smoke-free beaches. People on Cleethorpes beach had mixed Gorski puffs on a from his own house, it's one of the few places he can legally enjoy a a YouGov survey suggest significant support in Yorkshire and the Humber for smoke-free beaches. A total of 1,125 people were surveyed, of which 61% would back a ban. As waves lap the golden sands on the Lincolnshire beach, Maciej offers his says: "There's a time and place to do it and if you can't do it on a beach it should be a designated area somewhere."I remember when you could smoke in pubs, now you can't do it and people got used to it. It's just another place you can't do it."However, despite being a smoker himself, Steve Granger says he agrees with the ban."Yes, we are smoking now but I'll make sure it goes into an ashtray or a bin rather than just throw it away on a beach," he says."Especially when there are children about. If people just throw their cigarette still lit on the beach, nobody knows who can step in it." Although Jayne Fitzpatrick supports the smoking ban, she believes vaping should still be allowed."I don't think you should smoke cigarettes because I think it's a lot of smell and it's got the hot end and you could burn the children," she says."But I don't think they [vapes] should be banned because they can't harm any children or anybody walking by but the cigarettes would if they put them out on the floor and they didn't go out."While there is currently no ban on smoking on beaches in Lincolnshire, two beaches in East Sussex have already become voluntary smoke-free spaces. Simon Clark, director of pro-smoking group Forest, thinks the ban is "absolutely ridiculous".He says: "Of course smokers should be considerate to people in their immediate vicinity but there is absolutely no justification for a ban on smoking on beaches because there is no health risk to anybody apart from the smoker themselves."Forest encourages smokers to use pocket ashtrays and for local authorities to provide more cigarette bins in public spaces. 'Eager for action' According to the Office for National Statistics, six million adults smoke, but the number is 2007, England banned smoking in all enclosed public areas, including pubs and restaurants. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently going through Parliament and plans to extend the indoor smoking ban to outdoor areas like schools, children's playgrounds and 1 July, France will ban smoking in all outdoor areas commonly used by children, including beaches, parks, school areas, bus stops and sports March 2024, Benllech and Trearddur Bay became the first smoke-free beaches in Wales with others also introducing a voluntary smoking Crosby, associate director for the Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control, says: "We need bold, continued action to prevent uptake, help smokers quit and reduce harm."The survey clearly shows the public is not only on board – they're eager for more action to make it happen." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
The Independent
17-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
More and more children aware of nicotine pouches, charity warns
There is growing awareness of nicotine pouches among children and teenagers, a charity has warned. The pouches, which contain addictive nicotine and often sweeteners and flavourings, can be bought cheaply and are frequently used as a tobacco substitute. There is currently a lack of evidence on the health effects of the pouches, which are placed under the top lip. The current law means people of any age can also buy them. In February, trading standards teams in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Dorset warned they were seeing a 'significant growth' in illegal versions containing potentially dangerous levels of nicotine. A new YouGov survey commissioned by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) has found a growing awareness of nicotine pouches among under-18s – rising from 38% in 2024 to 43% in 2025. Almost 4% of teenagers also report trying the pouches, according to the poll of 2,746 youngsters aged 11 to 17. Ash data also shows that between 2023 and 2025, nicotine pouch use has increased among younger adults aged 18 to 34. Some 2.6% of 18 to 34-year-olds currently use them, compared to 0.2% of those aged over 55. Ash said that while nicotine pouches are less harmful than smoking, there are currently no limits on the strength of the nicotine, and few controls over their marketing and advertising. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently going through Parliament which will ban the advertising and sponsorship of all vapes and other nicotine products (such as nicotine pouches) and ban all vapes and nicotine products (and non-nicotine vapes) from being sold to under-18s. Conservative MP Bob Blackman, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Smoking and Health, said: 'Many of the big nicotine pouch brands are owned by tobacco companies with decades of experience targeting our children. 'The longer it takes for this Government to regulate, the more time the tobacco industry has to promote their products to the next generation.' Ash said the Government must now prioritise the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Ash, said: 'The surge in teen awareness and growing levels of use in young adults over the last two years indicates that the industry's marketing strategies are working. 'Products are highly promoted in shops and on social media with football stars and male influencers used to further raise their profile. 'Nicotine pouches are very likely to be less harmful than smoking. However, they must be properly regulated.' Tobacco and vapes lead for Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Kate Pike, said: 'I hear from trading standards teams across the country who are getting reports from concerned citizens who have seen teenagers being sold these products. 'However, there is no action we can take until the law is changed as no offence is being committed.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'Our landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the sale of nicotine pouches to under-18s and stop vapes and nicotine products from being deliberately promoted and advertised to children. 'The Bill will place nicotine pouches under the same advertising restrictions as tobacco and provides powers to regulate their nicotine limits, flavours, packaging and how they are displayed. 'It will stop the next generation from getting hooked on nicotine and put an end to the cycle of addiction and disadvantage.'
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
More and more children aware of nicotine pouches, charity warns
There is growing awareness of nicotine pouches among children and teenagers, a charity has warned. The pouches, which contain addictive nicotine and often sweeteners and flavourings, can be bought cheaply and are frequently used as a tobacco substitute. There is currently a lack of evidence on the health effects of the pouches, which are placed under the top lip. The current law means people of any age can also buy them. In February, trading standards teams in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Dorset warned they were seeing a 'significant growth' in illegal versions containing potentially dangerous levels of nicotine. A new YouGov survey commissioned by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) has found a growing awareness of nicotine pouches among under-18s – rising from 38% in 2024 to 43% in 2025. Almost 4% of teenagers also report trying the pouches, according to the poll of 2,746 youngsters aged 11 to 17. Ash data also shows that between 2023 and 2025, nicotine pouch use has increased among younger adults aged 18 to 34. Some 2.6% of 18 to 34-year-olds currently use them, compared to 0.2% of those aged over 55. Ash said that while nicotine pouches are less harmful than smoking, there are currently no limits on the strength of the nicotine, and few controls over their marketing and advertising. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently going through Parliament which will ban the advertising and sponsorship of all vapes and other nicotine products (such as nicotine pouches) and ban all vapes and nicotine products (and non-nicotine vapes) from being sold to under-18s. Conservative MP Bob Blackman, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Smoking and Health, said: 'Many of the big nicotine pouch brands are owned by tobacco companies with decades of experience targeting our children. 'The longer it takes for this Government to regulate, the more time the tobacco industry has to promote their products to the next generation.' Ash said the Government must now prioritise the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Ash, said: 'The surge in teen awareness and growing levels of use in young adults over the last two years indicates that the industry's marketing strategies are working. 'Products are highly promoted in shops and on social media with football stars and male influencers used to further raise their profile. 'Nicotine pouches are very likely to be less harmful than smoking. However, they must be properly regulated.' Tobacco and vapes lead for Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Kate Pike, said: 'I hear from trading standards teams across the country who are getting reports from concerned citizens who have seen teenagers being sold these products. 'However, there is no action we can take until the law is changed as no offence is being committed.'
