DrugWise Daily |
16th February 2026 |
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UK news
Children to be better protected from second-hand smoking and vaping
The government is launching a consultation on extending smoke-free places and introducing vape-free and heated tobacco-free spaces | DHSC, UK
Second death after suspected drug overdoses
In total, police said two people have died and 12 people have become ill from suspected drug overdoses in the area | BBC, UK
Report highlights the harms from alcohol and the support available
More people in Hampshire are now seeking advice and treatment to reduce their alcohol consumption, according to the latest report from Hampshire County Council’s Director of Public Health | Hampshire County Council, UK
Urgent call for action on lung cancer in people who have never smoked
In 2020, lung cancer in people who had never smoked was the fifth most common cause of cancer death worldwide | Independent, UK
NSPCC: Children suffering in silence due to parental misuse
That’s the warning from the NSPCC, which has revealed it was contacted more than 9,000 times last year about concerns related to parents' drug or alcohol use | Exmouth Journal, UK
'I'd hit rock bottom and was drinking for breakfast'
A mother who became addicted to alcohol after her husband's brain injury has founded a sober support network to "redefine" recovery from alcoholism | BBC, UK
Quitting smoking gave me 'precious' family time
Sophie Brock, 38, smoked periodically from 14 years-old but quit in February 2025 using West Sussex County Council's Quit4Wellbeing service | BBC, UK
I thought my powerlifter father was the strongest man in the world. But a secret steroid addiction took him – and us – to the brink
He didn’t look like a stereotypical ‘drug addict’, but when he fled to South Africa with all our savings it was obvious that is what he had become | Guardian, UK
'Drug-driving law will make prosecution easier [Jersey]'
Jersey's infrastructure minister says proposed changes to Jersey's road traffic law will make it easier to prosecute those who drive under the influence of drugs | BBC, UK
Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham criticise pub tax raid
Two prominent potential leadership challengers to Sir Keir Starmer have attacked the government’s tax regime for putting hospitality businesses, and particularly pubs, under serious pressure | CityAM, UK
Exploding vape batteries 'putting lives at risk'
The incorrect disposal of vapes, in general and recycling waste, is an issue that is costing the waste industry millions of pounds and threatening livelihoods and lives, a company says | BBC, UK
Albanian gang members jailed after large-scale cannabis operation uncovered in Essex
Four members of an Albanian organised crime gang involved in the large-scale production and supply of cannabis have been jailed for more than 11 years. The sentence follows an investigation which discovered the Essex-based Albanian gang made more than £500,000 in profit between 2023 and 2025 | ITV, UK
Drug dealers caught after woman's 'tragic' death
Two drug dealers were caught selling illegal prescription medication "as if they were sweets" after one of their customers died, a court has heard | BBC, UK
International news
Incidents with recreational nitrous oxide use before and after legislation: poisonings and police incidents in the Netherlands between 2020 and 2025
[Open access] As the UK did later the same year, in 2023 The Netherlands outlawed supply and possession of nitrous oxide (‘laughing gas) for recreational purposes. “Overall, the impact on public health and police incidents appears positive,” concluded this study | IJDP, UK
‘My ketamine addiction got me locked up in Japan – it isn’t the innocent party drug people think it is’
Izabel Rose said her five-month detention abroad was ‘traumatic’ but helped her overcome a dangerous ketamine addiction | Independent, UK
New front runners in Psychedelic Research emerge, as Texas put 50 million into Ibogaine R&D
On June 11th, 2025, Texas passed Senate Bill 2308, allocating $50 million in state funds towards the research and development of ibogaine for medical use. The bill had support from a large bipartisan majority and was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, authorising universities, hospitals, and drug developers to work towards potential FDS-approved ibogaine treatments for veterans | Drug Science, UK
Irishman held by ICE was issued warrant over 2009 drug offense in Ireland
Seamus Culleton has been held for five months despite having valid work permit and being married to US national | Guardian, UK
US strikes second alleged drug boat in a week, bringing death toll to 133
Strike appears to be first in Caribbean since November, with vast majority of recent strikes happening in the Pacific | Guardian, UK
Treasury considering changes to Australia’s contentious tobacco excise, as calls grow for a freeze
The tax has climbed by 60% since 2020 and accounts for three-quarters of the legal cost of a packet of cigarettes | Guardian, UK
Action on drug precursors: first EU-level precursor assessment reports published
Illicit drug production poses a growing threat to public health and security in Europe. Monitoring drug precursor markets helps detect emerging risks and enables timely EU-level responses to disrupt supply and prevent diversion and trafficking into illicit drug production. On Friday, the EUDA published nine reports resulting from the first ever precursor assessments conducted at EU level | EUDA, Portugal
Drug production and precursors — ongoing activities
New web page. Illicit drug production in the European Union is a persistent and evolving phenomenon, encompassing a wide range of substances and production methods. The EUDA supports EU-level understanding of illicit drug production by bringing together information on dismantled production sites, production methods and related incidents. On this page you can find more information on the EUDA’s work in this area | EUDA, Portugal
Consumer engagement with the US alcohol health warning: A nationally representative study
[Open access] The current US alcohol warning fails to actively engage many alcohol consumers. The US should require new, rotating alcohol warnings designed to heighten engagement and better inform consumers | Addictive Behaviors, USA
Blogs, comment and opinion
Boofing: why taking illicit drugs rectally is so risky
The route a drug takes into the body can matter as much as the drug itself – and rectal use brings risks that are rarely talked about openly | Conversation, UK
Celebrating 20 Years Since Parliament Voted to Introduce Indoor Smokefree Legislation
On 14th February 2006 the Commons passed an amendment to Health Bill which created comprehensive smokefree legislation in England. The law passed on free vote, with cross party support and has been hailed as one of the greatest public health achievements of this century so far. To mark 20 years since the vote we have asked for reflections from those who were MPs at the time and those who campaigned for change | ASH blog, UK
What a journey: Cultivating Cultural Recovery Pathways for Black and Asian Communities in Scotland
Cultivating Cultural Recovery Pathways for Black and Asian Communities in Scotland culminated in a session at the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, on 12 November 2025—but its roots stretch back almost a year earlier | SHAAP blog, UK
Banning vaping in public? What is Labour smoking?
The planned crackdown on vapes is driven by prejudice and prohibitionist instincts, not scientific evidence | Spiked, UK