Changes in UK Health and Social Care Department Leadership

Nov.21.2022
Changes in UK Health and Social Care Department Leadership
The UK Department of Health and Social Care has undergone final changes and appointed a new junior health and public health minister.

Unless there are further changes due to government instability, the Ministry of Health and Social Care has completed its final revision. Additionally, a familiar figure has been chosen as the new chairperson of the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee. Finally, questions regarding the abandoned electronic equipment register have been answered.


Neil O'Brien, who has been a Conservative MP for Harborough since 2017, has been appointed as the new Under Secretary of State for Health and Social Care responsible for public health. O'Brien previously served as special advisor to former Chancellor George Osborne from 2012 to 2016 and also as special advisor to Prime Minister Theresa May.


O'Brien claims he was angered by the preventive measures and told a government research institute that his party needs to "truly break it" in their public health prevention measures. He added, "You have to be very imaginative and proactive about the work we're doing on some of these prevention efforts. This is the core of the upgrade.


Former Junior Health Minister Steve Brine, who previously served as the Minister for E-cigarettes, has been appointed as the new Chair of the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee. Brine's appointment came after receiving support from other members of parliament, enabling him to beat five other candidates and fill the vacancy left by Jeremy Hunt, who moved on to become the new Chancellor.


Winchester's Conservative representative, Brine, resigned from his post as junior health minister in 2019 due to his opposition to a "no-deal" Brexit.


I hold the opinion on 'no-deal' based on numerous public statements from businesses, public services, security departments, and extensive testimonies from my constituents. In addition, I have served as a minister in the government for almost three years, including the last 20 months in the Department of Health. I would like to pay tribute to the highly competent and professional team at DH," he said at the time.


Steve Brine commented on his recent appointment and stated: "The ability for the Department of Health and Social Care to provide services for patients remains a key priority for this committee, particularly in dealing with the backlog caused by the pandemic and recruiting a workforce that will meet future demands. Given the current economic environment, further pressures seem unavoidable.


Despite investing heavily in health, we haven't seen enough return on our investment. We need to understand why and push the government to ensure our money is well-spent.


He supports the work of the New Nicotine Alliance and the National Quit Smoking and Training Center, and encourages businesses and organizations to seriously consider allowing indoor vaping to combat tobacco-related harm.


In the House of Lords, Conservative Lord Randall of Uxbridge questioned the government about why the importers of Elf Bar and Geek Bar e-cigarette brands are not on the register of discarded electronic equipment.


The Minister of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, Lord Benyon, stated that the two brands mentioned are not on the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) register because the companies producing them did not register as producers in compliance with the EEE regulations for this year. The Environment Agency is currently investigating the e-cigarette industry to determine which legal entities are obligated to register as producers in accordance with WEEE regulations.


Statement:


This article is compiled from third-party information and is intended solely for industry exchange and learning.


This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS cannot confirm the truthfulness and accuracy of the article's content. The compilation of this article is for industry communication and research purposes only.


Due to limitations in translation capability, the translated article may not accurately reflect the original text. Please refer to the original text for accuracy.


2FIRSTS maintains full alignment with the Chinese government on any domestic, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, or foreign-related expressions and positions.


The copyright of the compiled information belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Argentina’s New Nicotine Rules Draw Cautious Optimism and Market Concerns, Local Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocate Says
Argentina’s New Nicotine Rules Draw Cautious Optimism and Market Concerns, Local Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocate Says
Argentina’s new tobacco and nicotine framework marks a shift from prohibition toward registration, traceability and health surveillance. Argentine THR advocate Juan Facundo Teme told 2Firsts that adult consumers and parts of the local commercial sector are cautiously optimistic, but concerns remain over flavor limits, registration costs and market access. The policy’s implementation may determine whether Argentina can move informal sales into regulated channels.
May.11
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Resigns After Opposing Trump Administration’s Flavored Vape Push
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary Resigns After Opposing Trump Administration’s Flavored Vape Push
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary resigned on May 12 after opposing the Trump administration’s push to authorize fruit-flavored vaping products, according to reporting by The New York Times. Makary reportedly objected over concerns that flavored vapes could attract young people and refused to support broader approvals.
News
May.13
South Korea’s Cigarette Smoking Rate Falls to 17.9%, E-Cigarette Use Continues to Rise
South Korea’s Cigarette Smoking Rate Falls to 17.9%, E-Cigarette Use Continues to Rise
Data released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) showed South Korea’s conventional cigarette smoking rate fell to 17.9% in 2025, while heated tobacco and liquid e-cigarette use continued to rise, particularly among young adults and women.
Jun.01
Imperial Brands Explains What the UK Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 Means for Retailers
Imperial Brands Explains What the UK Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 Means for Retailers
Imperial Brands has outlined what the newly approved UK Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026 means for retailers. The legislation received Royal Assent on April 29, 2026, and gives the Government powers to extend tobacco-style regulation to a wider range of products, including vaping products, heated tobacco, nicotine pouches and cigarette papers. Imperial Brands emphasized that most measures will be introduced in phases rather than taking effect immediately.
May.11 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Exhibition Insights | Beyond Devices: What RELX’s Multi-Format Display Suggests About Category Expansion
Exhibition Insights | Beyond Devices: What RELX’s Multi-Format Display Suggests About Category Expansion
RELX’s booth in Prague brought together vaping devices, RELX-branded e-liquids, oral nicotine products and a nasal product concept in one display. Rather than centering the booth on a single hardware line, the company presented multiple product paths side by side.
Apr.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Product|PMI Expands High-Strength Nicotine Pouch Portfolio With Zyn 16.5mg
Product|PMI Expands High-Strength Nicotine Pouch Portfolio With Zyn 16.5mg
According to Better Retailing, Philip Morris International (PMI) has launched Zyn Menthol Ice 16.5mg in the UK, marking the highest-strength nicotine pouch in the Zyn range to date. The eucalyptus- and menthol-flavored product is now available through PMI Open and will begin rolling out to wholesale channels from the end of May.
PMI
May.28