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The age at which people can buy tobacco in England should rise by one each year until it becomes a "smoke-free" society, a government-commissioned review recommended on Thursday (June 9). The minimum age today is 18. But the review by Javed Khan, former head of children's charity Barnardo's, advised raising it annually until eventually no one can buy tobacco products. His review recommends 15 interventions to help the government meet its national target to be smoke-free by 2030, including the promotion of vaping to help smokers quit. "Without immediate and sustained action, England will miss the smoke-free target by many years and most likely decades," said Khan. "A smoke-free society should be a social norm -- but to achieve this, we must do more to stop people taking up smoking, help those who already smoke and support those who are disproportionately impacted by smoking."

Smoking is more harmful than previously thought. New research from University College London (UCL) reveals that every cigarette smoked shortens a smoker's life by an average of 20 minutes. Published today (30 December), the study estimates that a pack of 20 cigarettes results in nearly 7 hours of life lost. The research, commissioned by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), also highlights the positive impacts of quitting smoking. Smokers who stop on New Year's Day could save a whole day of their life by 8 January, assuming they smoked 10 cigarettes daily. By 20 February, this figure increases to a week, and by the end of the year, they could avoid losing up to 50 days of life. Public health minister Andrew Gwynne has urged smokers to make a New Year's resolution to quit, describing smoking as "an expensive and deadly habit." "The new year offers a perfect chance for smokers to make a new resolution and take that step."

Smoking is the most significant cause of preventable deaths in England, and the health risks associated with smoking well documented. This not only puts a heavy burden on the healthcare system but also has a substantial social impact. Its link to health inequalities is more evident because it is more prevalent amongst the most vulnerable in our society, with low educational attainment and poor socioeconomic status. Even as smoking rates progressively reduced, these patients remained the most difficultto reach with cessation services. Recent years have also seen many local authorities stop providing locally commissionedNHS stop smoking service, citing funding constraints. The postpandemic financial reckoning may yet see more strain on what is left in the coffers. The Healthy Living pharmacy ethos community pharmacy teams, proactively supporting patients to quit and advising on the best evidence-shaped approach, deliver successful outcomes.

Smoking increases the risk of developing schizophrenia and depression, a report by academics from the University of Bristol published on 20 June claims. It says smoking raises the risk of developing schizophrenia by between 53 per cent and 127 per cent and the risk of developing depression by from 54 per cent to 132 per cent. The authors of the report say more research is needed to identify why this is the case and that more evidence is needed to understand its impact on other mental health conditions such as anxiety or bipolar disorder. The evidence, presented at the Royal College of Psychiatrist's international congress, has been shared with the government which is currently developing a new Tobacco Control Plan for publication later this year. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) said: "Rates of smoking are much higher among people with mental health conditions than those without, and among England's six million smokers there are an estimated 230k smokers with severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder) and 1.6 million with depression and anxiety."

What sets The Herb Company apart is the versatility of our blends. Beyond being rolled for a tobacco-free smoking session, these blends can be brewed into a soothing tea, infused into cocktails, or crafted into incense cones/sticks. Completely devoid of nicotine, our blends open the door to an impactful smoking experience without the drawbacks. Ideal for those looking to break free from traditional tobacco mixing or seeking an alternative with health in mind, our blends offer longer and smoother smoking sessions.

What sets The Herb Company apart is the versatility of our blends. Beyond being rolled for a tobacco-free smoking session, these blends can be brewed into a soothing tea, infused into cocktails, or crafted into incense cones/sticks. Completely devoid of nicotine, our blends open the door to an impactful smoking experience without the drawbacks. Ideal for those looking to break free from traditional tobacco mixing or seeking an alternative with health in mind, our blends offer longer and smoother smoking sessions.

What sets The Herb Company apart is the versatility of our blends. Beyond being rolled for a tobacco-free smoking session, these blends can be brewed into a soothing tea, infused into cocktails, or crafted into incense cones/sticks. Completely devoid of nicotine, our blends open the door to an impactful smoking experience without the drawbacks. Ideal for those looking to break free from traditional tobacco mixing or seeking an alternative with health in mind, our blends offer longer and smoother smoking sessions.

A new bill was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday (20 March) to prohibit the sale of tobacco to children under the age of 15, delivering on the Prime Minister's commitment to create a smokefree generation. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to protect future generations from the harmful impacts of smoking, thereby saving thousands of lives and billions of pounds for the NHS. The bill will also introduce new powers to restrict vape flavours and packaging deliberately targeted towards children, as well as allow the government to change how they are displayed in shops, moving them out of sight of children and away from products that appeal to them, like sweets. Additionally, enforcement officers' powers will be strengthened with 'on the spot fines' of £100 to ensure compliance with the new laws. This complements the existing maximum fine of £2,500 that local authorities can already impose. It will also become illegal to provide free samples of vapes to children under the age of 18.

As local GP services face increasing pressure, the role of pharmacists in managing minor ailments such as cold and cough has become more crucial than ever. Considering environmental and lifestyle factors, such as pollution levels, pollen counts, smoking, and diet, is essential for the effective management of respiratory conditions. In this article, experts explain how pharmacists can leverage these factors to provide more comprehensive advice to patients for managing cold and cough symptoms. Dr Roger Henderson, GP and spokesperson for Olbas, says: "Environmental factors play a critical role in the exacerbation and management of respiratory conditions. For example, high pollution levels can aggravate cold and cough symptoms, particularly in areas where air quality can drastically fluctuate. "By assessing real-time pollution data, pharmacists can advise patients to take precautions on days when pollution levels are high." Air pollution is well known to increase the risk of certain respiratory diseases.

Maintaining a healthy digestive system is a vital component of a customer's overall health. Gut health affects how food is processed and digested, in turn affecting how and what vitamins and minerals are absorbed from the food that is ingested. It also impacts immune system efficiencies which can lead to allergies and autoimmune conditions. As such, supporting customers with their digestive health should be a key focus for community pharmacists. Alongside offering a range of over-the-counter products, pharmacists are well placed to offer one-to-one guidance for customers concerned about their digestive health. Top tips that pharmacists should provide their customers with, include: Eating well Pre and probiotics Water intake Smoking cessation Alcohol Intake

A new survey has highlighted growing concerns about pharmacists' increasing workload and their often-overlooked role within the healthcare systems. In the survey commissioned by consumer health company Kenvue, over 90 per cent of pharmacists reported a workload increase over the past year, with only 37 per cent considering their current workload sustainable. Their primary concerns include the impact of workload on wellbeing, expanding clinical roles and services, and challenges with staff recruitment and retention. Pharmacists reported spending most of their time advising patients on common ailments such as coughs, colds, pain, and allergies. However, they spend significantly less time on preventive services, which could further reduce pressure on the wider healthcare system. For instance, only seven pharmacists focus primarily on smoking cessation, and just four per cent on oral health. The survey also highlighted pharmacists' sense of being undervalued, with only 22 per cent feeling valued by policymakers, despite their significant contributions to primary care provision.