Vaping safer than smoking – so why are people struggling to quit e-cigarettes?

More socially acceptable than smoking – yet just as addictive – vaping has become the UK’s default way of consuming nicotine.Figures published by the Office for National Statistics last month showed that the number of over-16s in Great Britain who use vapes or e-cigarettes has overtaken the number who smoke cigarettes for the first time, with 5.4 million adults now vaping daily or occasionally, compared with 4.9 million who smoke.But alongside this shift is a growing sense of disquiet

We can still rely on the kindness of strangers | Letters

I can readily confirm Martin Kettle’s points (Need cheering up after a terrible year? I may have just the story you’re looking for, 28 December). I tripped up while last-minute Christmas shopping in Nailsworth on Christmas Eve; couldn’t move, very painful. The passersby and staff from a nearby shop were helpful and sympathetic. They must have been busy, but they freely gave me their time and cheered me up. The ambulance came quickly and the amazing paramedics correctly assessed my problem, getting me to Southmead hospital in Bristol

Flu patient numbers in English hospitals fall for second straight week

The number of people in hospital with flu in England has fallen for the second week in a row, NHS figures show, as England’s top doctor said the health service was “far from complacent” as a cold snap takes hold.An average of 2,676 flu patients were in hospital each day during the week ending 28 December, down 13% from 3,061 the previous week.The figure had previously been on an upwards trend, reaching 3,140 in the week ending 14 December. Last winter, weekly flu numbers for England peaked at 5,408 patients.A total of 128 flu patients were in critical care beds in England last week, up from 117 the previous week

Coroner calls for circumcision safety measures after baby’s death in London

A coroner has warned that more babies could die from infected circumcisions in the UK after the death of a six-month-old boy exposed a lack of infection control training and accreditation for circumcisers.Mohamed Abdisamad died in February 2023 of a streptococcus infection. He had a cardiorespiratory arrest on his way to hospital a week after undergoing a non-therapeutic circumcision, an inquest at west London coroner’s court found in October.In a prevention of future deaths report published this week, the assistant coroner Anton van Dellen urged the government to take action to avoid similar tragedies.He wrote: “During the inquest, the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern

Racial and religious hate crime on UK public transport is growing, data shows

Racial and religious hate crime on public transport is on the rise, according to new data obtained by the Guardian, as community groups report how people are restricting their daily journeys because they fear abuse or assault.Police forces across the country have recorded an increase in hate crimes over the past year, with a significant rise in racially motivated offences in Scotland as well as religious hate crimes targeting Muslims in England and Wales.But public transport creates a particular dynamic where aggressors are often emboldened by alcohol, can isolate their targets and then exit at the next stop.According to figures obtained by a freedom of information request, racial hate crime recorded by British Transport Police across England, Wales and Scotland increased from 2,827 cases in 2019-20 to 3,258 in 2024-25.Religious hate crime saw a similarly upward trend from 343 in 2019-20 to 419 in 2023-24 although it slightly dipped to 372 the following year

UK children to get chickenpox vaccine with measles, mumps and rubella jab

Children in the UK are to be immunised against chickenpox at the same time as measles, mumps and rubella.The NHS across the UK’s four home nations will administer a combined vaccine to young children to protect them against all four diseases from Friday.The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) jab, which has been used since 1988, is being replaced by a combined MMRV vaccine that includes immunisation against chickenpox, also known as varicella.Infants will be offered two doses, at 12 and 18 months, to reduce their risk of catching chickenpox. The first appointments at GP surgeries to receive the vaccine are being held on Friday