Caroline Cerny

www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-react...

These figures vindicate UK tobacco policy over the past 15 years, with the transition to vaping leading to unprecedented reductions in smoking prevalence, especially among young people

Now apply the same methods to alcohol, obesity, gambling

Overdue!!

Over 1,200 health leaders call for swift passage of UK tobacco and vapes bill Experts publish letter as peers prepare to scrutinise draft legislation six months after its second Commons reading

👏 Peers meet today for the first Committee session on the Tobacco & Vapes Bill (finally!)

ASH analysis shows around ~120,000 young people (18–24) have started smoking since the Bill was first introduced last November. 🚭 It's time to act.

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

How have big businesses used tried & tested lobbying tactics to attempt to derail public health policy?

🚬 Tobacco industry moves to derail the Tobacco & Vapes Bill
🍷 Alcohol lobbyists watering down government ambition
🍔 Junk food giants delaying the ad ban

Find out...👇

Dr Chris Van Tulleken shares what most people don’t know about cigarette filters! 🌍🚭

✨ ASH is proud to provide the secretariat to the APPG and to help drive this vital campaign forward. Together, we can end the filter fraud and protect our planet. 💪🌏

Pubs to stay open until early hours in push for UK growth Exclusive: Plans for England and Wales would help the ailing hospitality sector but have attracted criticism from health experts

“Licensing exists to protect people, not business profits. To push this through while alcohol deaths are at record highs raises serious questions about who this government is really working for.”

Today in @theguardian.com we discuss gov plans to review licensing👇
www.theguardian.com/business/202...

💯this

This is a company that makes and sells a product that kills its customers. Why on earth the BBC is giving it free PR is beyond me.

Autism should not be seen as single condition with one cause, say scientists Those diagnosed as small children typically have distinct genetic profile from those diagnosed later, study finds Autism should not be viewed as a single condition with a unified underlying cause, according to scientists who found that those diagnosed early in childhood typically have a distinct genetic profile to those diagnosed later. The international study, based on genetic data from more than 45,000 autistic people in Europe and the US, showed that those diagnosed in early childhood, typically before six years old, were more likely to show behavioural difficulties from early childhood, including problems with social interaction, but remain stable. Continue reading...

Autism should not be seen as single condition with one cause, say scientists

Labour considering charging workers for employment tribunal claims, sources say Exclusive: Reintroducing tribunal fees would be ‘a gift for bad bosses’, says TUC chief Paul Nowak Workers could be charged a fee to take their bosses to court under plans being explored by Labour as it faces pressure from businesses lobbying to water down its landmark changes to employment rights. In a development described by unions as a “disaster”, sources in Westminster said ministers were looking at reviving a proposal made by the last Conservative government to impose fees on employment tribunal claims. Continue reading...

Labour considering charging workers for employment tribunal claims, sources say

Some good news.

London is meeting legal limits for toxic NO2 pollution for the first time – almost 200 years earlier than predicted – following the Mayor’s "world leading air pollution policies," City Hall announces.

The Ultra Low Emissions Zone - and similar policies - really do work.

Despite being a teenager in the late 90s I never managed to see Oasis live. So it was a total joy to share my first live gig with my own teen mega-fan (who knew more of the words than me!) 🫶

First Farage platformed notorious UK anti-vaxxer, Aseem Malhotra, who insinuated that Covid vaccines caused the Royal Family’s recent cancers.

Now he’s openly trashing scientific method & evidence, pretending neither can be trusted & facts are a free for all.

This is deeply dangerous populism.

In a masterstroke of misogyny, this move not only blames Mums (again - echos of 'refrigerator mothers'), but also will scare pregnant women from using pain relief during pregnancy.

🚨 In a powerful opinion piece in @bmj.com, health leaders from @bma.org.uk, @rcphysicians.bsky.social, @rcn.org.uk, @rcpsych.bsky.social & @rcm.org.uk have sounded the alarm over the threat of cuts to NHS tobacco dependence treatment services.

As influencers spread ‘toxic’ claims, what is the truth about sunscreen? Too much exposure to the sun has traditionally been seen as a danger. Now claims that sunscreen is toxic flood the internet. What does the science say?

As influencers spread ‘toxic’ claims, what is the truth about sunscreen?

Policy incoherence in public health really bugs me. And this pub menu is a prime example. Alcohol is high in calories, but kcals are only listed for the non-alcoholic drinks 🤷‍♀️

New Data on Vaping Uncovers a Public Health Disconnect - ASH Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.

Today we published new estimates on adult and youth vaping in GB.
Media interest has been limited.
Has the media stopped caring about vaping?
Or is something else going on? 🤔
ash.org.uk/media-centre...

Very sensible take on the prevention chapter of the 10yr plan
👇

Alcohol advertising ban dropped after industry backlash Public health measures considered for Labour’s ten-year NHS plan have been left out after pushback from ministers concerned about the economy

Incredibly disappointing news, if true.

Industry tactics disrupting health policy making once again.

Jem Roberts of @ias.org.uk said alcohol giants will be "rubbing their hands with glee", and called for Ministers to "stand up" and "protect the most vulnerable".
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...

I had such high hopes that this would be the Govt that would finally follow the evidence and get a grip on the causes of illness. It's totally gutting to see them go the same way as previous govts and capitulate to industry lobbying 🍷🍺

Tobacco, alcohol & junk food are responsible for a massive burden of disease. It was fascinating to work on this briefing looking at the overlap in the population, associations (e.g. smoking more when drinking), health impact and policy implications.

It's hard to imagine that smoking inside cafes, restaurants and other inside spaces was ever OK. So happy 18th birthday to smokefree 🎉

A chilling reminder of the powerful tentacles of Big Food. And yet another reason why we need national policy to restrict junk food ads in outdoor spaces.

Spin the bottle: How the UK alcohol industry twists the facts on harm and responsibility - Institute of Alcohol Studies Executive summary Alcohol deaths are at an all-time high in the UK, yet current policy is unable to tackle this crisis. The alcohol industry’s influence has been recognised as a key barrier to address...

📢 New report: UK alcohol industry groups spent 2024 misleading the public on harm, the economy, environment, and policy.

We analysed 140+ industry documents and found a strategy of cherry-picking evidence, overstating economic value, and downplaying health harms.

➡️ www.ias.org.uk/report/spin-...

Our new data showing a surge in awareness of nicotine pouches amongst children has been featured in today’s media. We’re calling for Govt to prioritise the Tobacco & Vapes Bill to protect children. Nearly 4% of teens have used nicotine pouches equivalent to 210k children.
1/3

Rise in awareness of nicotine pouches among children, survey suggests A survey carried out by YouGov indicates 4% of children aged 11-17 have also tried them.

📈Our new data shows a worrying rise in children's awareness of nicotine pouches in the last year - likely to due to heavy marketing, including free giveaways. Right now these products can be sold to anyone, incl children. Time for T&V Bill ⌛
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Finally a Brexit benefit.

Particularly pleased to see Judges dismiss the SEN argument, highlighting the struggles >1m kids with SEN in state schools already face. Exactly why we need more funding for state schools.

Looking forward to taking part in this event at #WCTC2025. There's a lot of learning on tobacco control that can be applied to other NCD risk factor approaches 🚭🍕🍷