2022

Researchers from the University of Nottingham are inviting smokers and vapers from across the UK to join a new online public discussion group.

SPECTRUM co-signs open letter to Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), voicing objections to Coca-Cola’s sponsorship of COP27.

SPECTRUM researchers contribute to new book on the commercial determinants of health, featuring case studies in each major commercial sector.

Four new research fellows join the consortium, based at the University of Bath, the University of Edinburgh, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and University College London.

A high street voucher scheme has helped double the number of women who stop smoking during pregnancy in a UK-wide study, led by the University of Glasgow in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh, Queen's University Belfast, and the Universities of Stirling and York.

On 10 October, SPECTRUM teamed up with the Association of Directors of Public Health for a webinar on the commercial determinants of health. Watch the recordings.

A small study, supported by SPECTRUM and led by the Smokefree Action Coalition, Obesity Health Alliance and Alcohol Health Alliance, explores the scope for government, public health professionals and health advocates to take an integrated approach to tackling NCDs.

Taxation on sugary drinks works to reduce consumption and protect public health, but research shows that corporate opposition can undermine these efforts.

People in Britain strongly support restricting the sale of tobacco near schools and raising the legal age of sale to 21, finds a new SPECTRUM study.

Sales of cigarettes and other tobacco products from UK convenience stores fell by almost half in three years, research shows.

The report presents new research from SPECTRUM members at the Universities of Nottingham and Stirling.

The review, led by Dr Javed Khan OBE, presents a series of recommendations to Government to support its ambitions to be smokefree by 2030.

New analysis of the UK Government’s “Levelling Up” white paper highlights gaps and missed opportunities to address health inequalities.

Consultation response recommends closer consideration of Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and recognition of the role inequalities and disparities play in driving tobacco use.

SPECTRUM responses were submitted in relation to consultations on the draft National Planning Framework 4, and on health inequalities in Scotland.

Professor Jamie Pearce is one of 80 new Fellows elected to join the Royal Society of Edinburgh from across the sciences, arts, education, business, and public life.

Supported by SPECTRUM, the new panel includes members of the public who use products that contain nicotine and who have mental health conditions.

New article promotes a joined-up approach to tackling industry influence across unhealthy commodities, building on the international success of tobacco control.

Professor Niamh Fitzgerald has given evidence to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee on tackling alcohol harms in Scotland.

In evidence to the Scottish Parliament, Professor Jamie Pearce has highlighted the opportunity for the National Planning Framework to help address public health challenges in Scotland.

Arguments used by industry to dispute product-harm relationships are creating uncertainty about the health risks of harmful products, posing a significant challenge to public health.