David Crane PhD

3. Given the wide reach of apps, initiatives to increase smokers’ awareness of smoking cessation apps could have a meaningful impact on quit rates at the population level even if only a minority of smokers take up the use of app-based support. jmir.org/2024/1/e50963

2. The Smoke Free app appears to boost quit rates among smokers who use it. jmir.org/2024/1/e50963

What to make of these results? 1. While not every smoker will be interested in trying them, the use of smoking cessation apps can be increased by directing smokers to this type of support. jmir.org/2024/1/e50963

New paper in @JMIR_ describes the results of a pragmatic online RCT testing the effectiveness of offering people motivated to stop smoking the enhanced version of @thesmokefreeapp 📱 vs no intervention 🔺 Overall, we saw no difference in quit rates (6m continuous abstinence): 📱 6.8% 🔺 7.0% RR 0.97 [0.75-1.26] HOWEVER. Only 25% of those offered the app used it even once. When we restricted the intervention group to those who took up the offer of the app, we saw evidence of a benefit: 📱12.7% 🔺 7.0% RR 1.80 [1.30-2.45] jmir.org/2024/1/e50963

Today is a significant step forward in the journey to creating a #SmokefreeUK. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill could enable the UK Government to help build a healthier future, prevent cancers, and protect people from a lifetime of deadly and costly addiction. We at @CR_UK urge all MPs to prioritise the nation's health and vote in favour of the Bill to ensure that this historic legislation is implemented across the UK.

Smoking is the number one preventable cause of death, disability and ill health in the UK. That’s why we’re preventing young people from ever starting.

🙌Today is a landmark moment in public health: The #TobaccoAndVapesBill returns to Parliament with strong support from cross-party voters, health charities, and MPs. ASH welcomes this powerful step towards a #SmokefreeUK! ash.org.uk/media-centre/n…

LGA on Tobacco and Vapes Bill “We fully support the Government’s smokefree generation ambitions, which will improve the lives and health of people across the country." @DJAFothergill @GwynneMP local.gov.uk/about/news/lga…

Interesting read on the re-glamorisation of smoking bbc.co.uk/news/articles/… We recently estimated that 350 UK young adults start smoking every day academic.oup.com/ntr/advance-ar… Is this being driven by celebs and influencers being pictured - and sometimes actively promoting - smoking?

@MonkEmma And why are four hour queues normal?

Why on Earth are US polling booths so visible??

@DavidAFrench Not just America, globally, and it has the potential to tear society apart.

This is one of the most important trends in American life. We keep clustering with like-minded individuals, and that has a series of cascading negative effects. The law of group polarization teaches us that when like-minded people gather, they become more extreme.

While ASH supports these measures, we urge the Chancellor to go further. A £700m #BigTobaccoLevy could curb industry profits while sparing consumers, an opportunity ASH hopes to see addressed in March – particularly as there appears to be no clear plan for public health spending.

My comments on the vaping products duty announced in today’s budget:

Around 15,700. That’s how many cases of cancer have been caused by smoking in the 100 days since the King’s Speech. With every day that goes by, that number continues to rise. @WesStreeting the UK Govt has committed to introduce legislation to raise the age of sale of tobacco, to help prevent future generations from taking up smoking. We urge you to bring this legislation to Parliament, and together let’s help end cancers caused by smoking.

We’re delighted to announce that @AshOrgUK Chief Exec @HazelCheeseman will address the SCaH conference - ‘What it will take to end smoking’ - in the Morning Plenary session:. We’re closer than ever to ending smoking. Play your part. Join us at SCaH 2025: smokingcessationandhealth.co.uk

Reasons to attend SCaH 2025 #1 ‘The last conference was buzzing with the excitement that comes from so many people passionate about reducing smoking rates all being in the same place. This year’s will be even more exciting!’ Louise Ross. Register here: smokingcessationandhealth.co.uk/register/

It’s your conference. Join us in-person in York, or online, on 5th March 2025. Registration for the hybrid Smoking Cessation & Health (SCaH) conference is now open, with early-bird rates now available. Register here: smokingcessationandhealth.co.uk/register/ We hope to see you at SCaH 2025.

Legislation to raise the age of sale of tobacco would help ensure that future generations never start smoking. 100 days have passed since the UK Govt committed to reintroduce this legislation, now we are calling on them to bring the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to Parliament as soon as possible. #SmokefreeUK

The Health Secretary, @wesstreeting, wants a national debate on smokefree places. We couldn’t agree more. Those exposed to tobacco smoke at work – or whose health conditions worsen just by sitting outside a pub or café – deserve a say.

@rachel_l_woods Could we start by making paste without formatting the default?

Let’s get rid of font size in emails. Never a good reason to change the font size. Thank you.