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Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Children who vape 'three times more likely to become smokers'
Children who vape are three times more likely to become smokers later, a 'striking' new worldwide analysis of vaping by young people has found. The review, the largest of its kind, also shows they are more likely to be diagnosed with asthma and have poor mental health. The authors warned this is 'the strongest evidence to date' suggesting young vapers around the world face 'a serious range of physical and psychological harms from vaping'. Links between vaping and increased odds of respiratory illness and substance abuse including alcohol and cannabis were identified. The University of York and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine analysed all available reviews on youth vaping coming to 56 reviews on 384 studies. Some 21 of these looked at the use of e-cigarettes among young people and later cigarette smoking. Vapers were more likely to smoke in later life and also more likely to smoke more frequently and intensely, the analysis showed. Other harmful outcomes included pneumonia, bronchitis, lower total sperm counts, dizziness, headaches, and migraines. A link was identified between depression and suicidal thoughts among young vapers also. Associate professor in health science Su Golder at the University of York, said: The consistency in the evidence is striking. Across multiple studies, young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke in the future. The findings support 'stronger public health measures', Dr Golder said. Greg Hartwell, clinical assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: 'Our review shows exactly why further restrictions on the tobacco industry, who control the vaping market, are so important.' Senior author and assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Rebecca Glover, added: 'Our study provides the strongest evidence to date that young people globally face a serious range of physical and psychological harms from vaping and are at higher risk of transitioning to smoking.' Ireland's vape laws tightened The Government has approved proposals for further tightening vape laws, including banning disposable vapes and limiting flavours in all vapes. Up to July, they were with the Attorney General's office. Paul Kavanagh, chairman of the Royal College of Physicians Ireland clinical advisory group on smoking and e-cigarettes, recently shared his serious concerns about vaping in the Irish Examiner. 'It may well be another 10, 15, 20 years before we have a definitive and clear picture in relation to the health effects of e-cigarettes, particularly when it comes to some disease categories like cancer,' he said. Dr Kavanagh said that, up to recently, there was 'unrestricted access' to vapes in Ireland. 'What that has led to is rapidly-increasing e-cigarette use, particularly among children and young people, and at the same time, we have not seen any further reduction in smoking prevalence in our population,' he warned. James Murphy, British American Tobacco director of science and research, said: 'There is little evidence that vaping is a gateway to smoking. In fact, it has helped millions of adults move away from cigarettes. 'While not risk-free, experts agree it poses only a fraction of the risks of smoking.' A still from 'The Vapening', a film made by teenage members of the Foróige CRIB youth and family support project in Sligo about the prevalance of vaping among young Irish people. See link below.
Daily Mirror
12-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
New programme with Mounjaro maker to tackle obesity in pharmacies
Thousands of NHS patients could see their treatment changing as a 'cutting-edge' programme begins The Government and pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, the creator of weight loss drug Mounjaro, are teaming up to explore and trial innovative solutions to the UK's obesity crisis, inviting NHS organisations to put forward fresh proposals. Announced on 12 August, this new health innovation scheme is supported by a hefty investment of up to £50million from the government and an additional £35million in grant funding from Lilly. A cool £10million has been set aside specifically to back proposals in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. NHS bodies will be able to apply for part of this funding by proposing inventive approaches to caring for those battling obesity, beyond the current weight management services. The programme will also seek out novel methods of delivering obesity care that can be accessed by patients from all walks of life such as through pharmacies or online. Currently, the NHS provides a variety of services to assist people in managing their obesity, including prescription weight loss medication like Mounjaro and the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. This is a 12-week online course offering dietary and activity guidance to support people transitioning to a healthier lifestyle. Approximately 28% of UK adults are categorised as obese according to a Healthy Survey for England. Alarmingly, about one in three children leaving primary school are overweight or living with obesity, as per the National Child Measurement Programme. Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: "New ways of accessing support to tackle obesity, such as through pharmacies or with help from digital tools, could be transformational for people's quality of life, and for society. Allowing individuals to more easily manage their weight and freeing them from ill-health that holds them back in daily life while reducing the strain on our NHS." NHS England national medical director Dr Claire Fuller said: "Obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges we face and costs the NHS billions of pounds every year, so this collaboration between government and industry to drive new ways of supporting people with obesity could make a huge difference. "The NHS is already developing and rolling out a range of ways to help people to manage their weight and live healthier lives, with patients benefiting from wraparound care from local weight management teams and via online support services, but we are excited by the potential of this collaboration to accelerate efforts to tackle obesity as the NHS moves from treatment to prevention as part of the 10-Year Health Plan." In certain areas , patients might begin utilising these ground-breaking services as soon as summer 2026. Eligibility for the programmes will be determined by local healthcare professionals in accordance with national guidelines and NHS standards. This fresh initiative aims to make it simpler for people battling obesity to obtain comprehensive, wraparound support via various channels. This should enhance patient outcomes and experiences whilst also reducing strain on the NHS and GPs, the Government claims. This marks the most recent scheme ministers have unveiled to combat obesity. Earlier interventions include curbs on unhealthy food marketing designed to prevent obesity from developing in the first place. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: "Obesity is now one of the leading causes of ill health, costing the NHS billions. Yet, we now have the science, technology and knowledge to help tackle the obesity epidemic, if we seize this opportunity. "This collaboration will help patients living with obesity in a matter of months – through testing better access to weight loss services and treatments. In the long-term it will inform how we can better tackle one of the biggest modern day health challenges and, through our Plan for Change, create an NHS that is fit for the future." Professor Rachel Batterham, Senior Vice President for International Medical Affairs at Lilly stated: "The launch of this programme marks an important milestone in advancing new models of care for obesity. At Lilly, we are deeply committed to addressing the complex health challenge of obesity, and we are pleased to collaborate with the UK government and NHS partners. Together, we aim to build an evidence base that could transform health outcomes for people living with obesity."
Daily Mirror
08-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Children's NHS number could be used as ‘identifier' to find those at risk of harm
NHS numbers will be used in a pilot programme to share information about children between professionals in order to safeguard them under a new government plan The Government has declared it's speeding up its reforms to children's social care, with an additional £18 million being channelled into English councils and the launch of a novel pilot scheme. The scheme will use a child's NHS number to monitor them and their potential risk of harm across various professional sectors. The trial will explore the feasibility of using a child's NHS number as a "unique identifier" to track their interactions within health, educational, and police environments. This will allow these entities to exchange data and identify issues before they escalate. This NHS number for each child will mirror the function of National Insurance numbers for adults. As a result, it will offer a consistent marker to help those in charge of safeguarding and the welfare of children to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the child's circumstances. Thereby identifying at-risk children or those who may benefit from extra support. In contrast to National Insurance numbers, which are typically allocated when people turn 16, NHS numbers are generally given at birth. Moreover, they are currently used solely to exchange information regarding a person's health and dealings with the NHS. The pilot is already underway in Wigan, where the council and NHS England are integrating their systems. The effectiveness of this integration in facilitating the sharing of information about child protection concerns will subsequently be evaluated. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has highlighted the numerous advantages of the unique identifier system, which go beyond spotting children at risk. It could aid in smoothing the transition to adult healthcare services and ensure comprehensive records are kept even if a child relocates within England or Wales. But, they've also flagged up some potential drawbacks, such as the impact on children within the child protection system. Additionally, they highlighted the potential exclusion of those without NHS numbers, and the lack of consensus among agencies regarding the age at which a person is considered an adult. Children's Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza commented: "The introduction of a unique ID for every child will help identify problems early on and prevent any child becoming invisible to services, so robust and effective implementation will be essential, using evidence of what does and doesn't work through this first pilot. "Children in care told me in my Big Ambition survey they want the same things as other children: love, safety and stability in their family life. "It's absolutely right that we prioritise supporting families earlier on when challenges arise, with the goal of keeping them together safely. I welcome this investment in caring for children and families but also in strengthening leadership locally, because my research has shown that decisions about children in care are too often driven by local capacity and resources, instead of what's right for those children's needs." The sweeping reforms will also require all local authorities to provide Family Group Decision Making services, which will involve extended family members in efforts to keep children with their families instead of placing them into care. Additionally, the service will introduce thousands more family help workers to assist families dealing with issues such as substance abuse or mental health problems. These initiatives are central to the proposed Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Children and Families Minister Janet Daby commented: "Time and again we're told how failing to share information and intervene early enough means vulnerable children fall through the cracks. "These deep-rooted problems are symptomatic of a children's social care system that has clearly been stretched to breaking point. We're putting an end to sticking plaster solutions through our Plan for Change by investing even more focus and funding into preventative services and information sharing."
Otago Daily Times
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Canoe diplomacy
Edward, Prince of Wales is transported in a dug-out canoe on the Zambezi River near Kamujoma, Northern Rhodesia. — Otago Witness, 15.9.1925 COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR The Prince of Wales, journeying along the Zambesi, has reached Kamujoma, where he was welcomed by a large gathering of Barotse tribesmen. The paramount chief presented a loyal address. The Prince, in replying, begged them to give up the practice of slavery. He afterwards participated in an elaborate native aquatic display. America doing OK In the matter of motor vehicles, particularly, the rest of the world is very small potatoes alongside the United States, for it has only 12 percent of the total number of motor vehicles while America has 88 percent. Furthermore, the United States is producing: 55 percent of the world's iron ore, 61 percent of the world's pig iron, 65 percent of the world's steel, 61 percent of the world's copper, 62 percent of the world's petroleum, 43 percent of the world's coal, 52 percent of the world's timber output, 65 percent of the world's naval stores, 42 percent of the world's phosphate, 80 percent of the world's sulphur, 63 percent of the world's mica, 62 percent of the world's lead, 64 percent of the world's zinc, 60 percent of the world's talc and soapstone, 45 percent of the world's barytes, 63 percent of the world's cotton. Gee. The catalogue is not exhaustive. — by 'Wayfarer' Cable-car replacement bus The recent disorganisation of the Roslyn cable service and the attendant inconvenience occasioned to hill dwellers was fortunately relieved by touches of humour. Citizens who reside in the more distant areas — and especially in those badly served by transit facilities — have apparently cultivated the virtue of patience in a marked degree, and hence such insignificant trifles as the suspension of a tramway service more or less frequently is viewed with remarkable imperturbability. The good-natured crowds who waited in the rain for a problematical journey home per medium of a totally inadequate bus service from Rattray Street to Highgate obtained a good deal of fun at the frantic attempts of "struggling masses" to find the solitary entrance to the charabanc. In one instance a somewhat piqued female voice was heard to protest, "Gentlemen, gentlemen, ladies first," followed (more peremptorily) by "Mind my umbrella — it cost me 25 shillings." Lepers' voyage booked The Government steamer Hinemoa's trip early next month will transport the lepers from Quail Island station in Lyttelton Harbour to the leper station of Makogai Island, lying 18 miles north-east of Levuku, the old capital of Fiji. Four Maoris, two Chinamen and three Europeans, all males, will go from New Zealand with the present staff. Dr T.J. Hughes, district medical officer at Auckland, will accompany the party in a supervising capacity. Special accommodation is to be constructed at the after end of the Hinemoa, and this will be left at the leper station when the patients have been landed. The vessel will also transport 10 lepers from Samoa. There are five leper villages at Makogai, containing 351 patients, who have an active, open-air existence, and are treated for the disease in various ways. The administration of chaulmoogra oil has a marked beneficial effect on nearly all stages of leprosy. Surgical treatment is also important. — ODT, 15.7.1925 (Compiled by Peter Dowden)
Edinburgh Live
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Prince William's witty response when child asks 'is Prince William coming?'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Prince William delighted onlookers with a touch of humour during a Royal engagement. The future monarch was greeting Royal fans near Windsor Castle on May 7, 2023, just before the Coronation Concert for King Charles, when he was called over to the barrier by a young boy. The child asked him whether he had seen Prince William, as he eagerly awaited his chance to meet him. The boy's question prompted a playful response from the Prince: "Do you know when Prince William is going to come?" To which Prince William quipped: "I don't know! I don't know where he is. Have you seen him yet? Do you know where he is?". The boy speculated that perhaps Prince William was further down, mingling with the crowd, and the Prince played along, saying: "Did he go that way? He will be here any moment soon." Eventually, Prince William dropped the pretence and asked the boy if he knew who he was speaking to. The boy's guess, "The Government?", sent Prince William into fits of laughter. While conceding he might look like 'The Government', Prince William gently corrected the boy, revealing that he was indeed Prince William himself. The boy's reaction was one of disbelief as he turned to confirm with his mother, exclaiming: "Oh... He is Prince William, mummy." The crowd shared a collective chuckle and expressed their gratitude for the charming interaction before Prince William continued his engagements, leaving behind a memorable encounter. The interaction was recently reposted by Instagram user @katemiddletonprincessofwalesuk, with the caption stating: "The lovely moment between Prince William and a little boy who asks him if he knows if Prince William is going to come to greet the crowds because he is waiting for him. "William's response is the best. Don't miss the boy's reaction when he realises that he has been speaking to William all along!" Commenting on the video, one user remarked: "Darling! And I love how he didn't say, 'Prince William.' Just "William. " He's the nicest and seems so down to earth." Another user chimed in: "He is going to be a fabulous King for the People with his beautiful Queen! I hope I will be alive to see it." A third user commented: "Aww out of the mouths of Children they come out with anything and Prince William saying I'm not the Government so funny. Bless him." Yet another user added: "This is so lovely a wonderful memory for the little boy to cherish."
