Sheffield’s vaping industry is going up in smoke
More people are quitting smoking in Sheffield than in any other major city, according to NHS records.
Out of every 100,000 smokers, 1,380 have successfully quit.
This data is from the NHS’ Statistics on Local Stop Smoking Services.
Sheffield trumps all other major cities, including Manchester and York, whose numbers stand at 263 and 483 respectively.
In parliament, MPs are showing support for plans to crack down on the smoking and vaping industry, with a new bill seeking to make it illegal for anyone who is currently aged fifteen or younger to ever purchase cigarettes in the UK.
There will also be actions aimed specifically at tackling youth vaping.
The vaping industry has been under scrutiny for some time, particularly concerning the sale of products to minors.
Rob, store runner at MyCigara Vape Shop, says that an outright ban is not the solution. Instead, he believes that licenses should come into play.
He said: "The biggest problem that the vaping industry has at the moment is it’s unlicensed. Any shop can go to a wholesaler, buy vapes, and sell them. When you’ve got a market of independent traders who are just after that extra bit of revenue, they're majoratively the ones selling to underaged kids. "
Rob is an active vaper and believes that vaping is a safer alternative to cigarettes.
He says that he’s followed the WHO concerning the topic and recalls a report that vaping is up to 80% safer than cigarettes. According to Rob, vaping serves as the lesser of two evils for anyone who has trouble quitting cold turkey.
Regarding the developing bill, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said that the bill will be “coming down on the vaping industry like a ton of bricks”.
When asked about a response to Mr Streeting’s comments, Rob said: "Pull your pants up and do it properly! They’re targeting the vape industry in an aggressive way, but not actually dealing with the problems. They’re not going to ban the import of [the vapes]. If you are going to ban the sale of them, don’t make it easy for the black market to get a hold of them."
In light of the NHS data, any restrictions on the sale of vapes are likely to put immense pressure on Sheffield’s small businesses within the industry.
When asked about a future where such a bill is passed, Rob was of a somewhat pessimistic view. He said: "It’s gonna be tough. The bigger companies are gonna be the ones that are going to be able to weather out that stormy period. But yeah, it’s gonna be rough."
History made in South Yorkshire as Town Halls raise Palestinian flag in solidarity
The Palestinian flag was raised for the first time today by several Town Halls in South Yorkshire on International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
The United Nations called for annual event in 1977 which is now recognised across the world.
Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley are flying the Palestinian flag after rising pressure from the public.
Julie Pearn, chair of Sheffield Labour Friends of Palestine, has called the day “historic in the current political context” after her request to Sheffield City Council to fly the flag was initially met with hesitation.
She said: “It is a triumph of popular organising and pressure which has forced reluctant leadership to take this moral and sound political step.”
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council was the first in South Yorkshire to agree to fly the flag.
The decision raised controversy as last year Rotherham and Sheffield flew the Israeli flag after Hamas’s attack on 7 October.
The flag was forcibly removed by activists and replaced with a Palestinian flag which led to Sheffield City Council adopting a new flag flying protocol.
Cllr Taiba Yasseen of Rotherham Council presented the largest petition in Rotherham’s history, with 4,031 signatures, calling for a permanent ceasefire in the region.
She said: “The Israeli flag was flown because an atrocity was committed, but the Palestinian flag has never been flown yet the atrocities continue to take place.”
Cllr Yasseen further outlined that “small” actions like this in Rotherham and South Yorkshire will contribute to pressure and influence for a permanent ceasefire and peace for the Palestinian people.
Dr Pearn added that she hopes the news of the action in South Yorkshire reaches Palestinians everywhere and lets them know that “we speak out on their behalf for justice, for an end to their oppression under Israeli apartheid, and for their freedom”.
Female students unite to demand safer streets
Women in Sheffield are campaigning for safer streets during the '16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence', saying they are "scared to walk home".
The international campaign takes place between the 25th November and 10th December and was created by the United Nations to challenge violence against women and girls.
Two Reclaim the Night marches were organised by university students to commence the campaigning as women gathered in Sheffield city centre on Saturday and Monday evening.
Eloise Taylor, Women’s Officer for the University of Sheffield, explained that the first Reclaim the Night March began in 1977 in Yorkshire in response to the “atrocious” police reaction to the murders and attempted murders of 22 women by Peter Sutcliffe.
She said the march is still important because violence against women and those of marginalised genders is still prevalent in our city.
South Yorkshire Police had the 10th highest rate across 42 police force areas of domestic abuse-related crime between 2022 and 2023.
Ms Taylor added, “We are raising awareness that the focus should not be on teaching women and people of marginalised genders; it should be on educating men.”
Women who have attended events across the week said they do not feel safe in the city at night.
Niamh, a student at the University of Sheffield, said: “We are scared to walk home at 5pm.
“We cannot do much about it, it just seems to be ignored.”
Representatives from women’s charities across the city, including Women’s Aid and the Young Women’s Christian Association, were present at Saturday’s march.
Claire Harding, Project Manager at YWCA Sheffield, said the campaigning: “Represents not just a stand against violence but a beacon of hope for a safer, more equitable world."
Last night, women across the city attended a central Local Area Committee meeting to air their concerns about night-time safety in the city to local councillors.
Across next week, both universities will host self-defense classes, film screenings, and report and support drop-ins.
Find out more: 16 Days Against Gendered Violence - Sheffield Students' Union
Sheffield United vs Sunderland: Chris Wilder previews “Friday Night Spectacle” ahead of Black Cats clash
A rocking atmosphere is expected at Bramall Lane tonight, with two high-fliers set to battle out at the top of the Sky-Bet Championship.
Sheffield United take on Sunderland, with both sides knowing a win would put them top of the league.
United manager Chris Wilder was pleased with his side's performance on Tuesday, which saw the team beat Oxford 3-0.
This continued the Blades' strong home form, with them now winning seven straight without conceding a goal at Bramall Lane.
Wilder is looking for his side to build on this consistency, ahead of tonight's clash.
He said: “We need big performances individually that lead to a team performance which hopefully leads to a big three points.
“To go to the top of the table on Tuesday night was a great feeling for everybody.”
The side have since been leapfrogged by Leeds United at the top on goal difference, after they beat Luton 3-0 on Wednesday night.
It’s been a busy week in the Championship with two rounds of fixtures in quick succession, as the busy Christmas period looms.
United are without injured trio Rhian Brewster, Kieffer Moore and Oliver Arblaster for tonight’s game, along with defender Anel Ahmedhodzic, who is suspended.
Wilder spoke of other players in the team who are starting to pick up form in the absence of others.
He highlighted Tyrese Campbell, who has 4 goals in his last 5 games, saying that he has a “glint in his eye”, and has been a great summer addition for the Blades, offering balance to their forward line.
He said: “You want your centre forwards to score and he’s doing that at the moment and that’s great for everybody.”
Campbell is looking to become the first Sheffield United player to score in four consecutive league appearances since David McGoldrick back in January 2019.
Wilder also highlighted Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who has impressed after arriving on loan from Crystal Palace.
He said: “Hopefully we can maintain this rich vein of form and results, and Jez will be a big part of that.”
When speaking about Sunderland, Wilder said he has full respect for how their manager, Regis Le Bris, has made them a “well coached team with a lot of youth.”
The away side, who are unbeaten since September, will move ahead of United with a win.
Sheffield United vs Sunderland takes place at Bramall Lane at 8pm tonight.
Sheffield volunteer group make urgent plea to the public
Amid the cost of living crisis, Sheffield Shoebox Appeal have announced fears that they will not meet their donation target by the 1 December deadline.
The appeal set their target at 3,000 boxes this year, as there are "more people in need than ever before". However, as it stands, they have raised only half of that.
For every box we’re short, somebody doesn’t get a Christmas present.
The Appeal is made up of a group of friends who work closely with local charities and hope to provide every vulnerable or disadvantaged adult in Sheffield with a Christmas present.
Christine Sexton, a coordinator for the Appeal, said the cost of living crisis has made things difficult for them.
She said: “We’ve got this dual problem where there are more people in need, and the people who are there to help haven’t got enough money spare.”
Recipients of the boxes include homeless people, women in refuges, people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, and old people who live on their own.
Last year was the first Christmas since the initiative began in 2013 that they did not hit their target, and they are even further behind this year.
Christine said: “At the end of the day, for every box we’re short, somebody doesn’t get a Christmas present. That’s the bottom line.”
Box requirements typically include clothing items such as socks and hats, toiletry giftsets, and Christmas treats. A full list of what is expected can be found on the Appeal's website.
Christine said: “Don’t think it takes a long time, it doesn’t. If you can’t make a shoebox, get a giftbag. Put some things in it, some toiletries, socks, hat, chocolates, a couple of other nice things. You can do them reasonably cheaply. Places like B&M, Home Bargains, and Poundland are your friends.”
One success story comes from the University of Sheffield shoebox wrapping event which took place on 27 November, and saw over 150 boxes completed.
Andrew Woffindin, the event organiser, said: "It was such an awesome opportunity to work with the Sheffield shoebox appeal, and as a Sheffielder born and bred it was so heart-warming to be able to help local people.
"The event was an amazing success."
Most shoebox drop off points close on Saturday 30 November, but the central store is open until Sunday 1 December.
‘The Tractor Lads’ roll out the welcome wagon to raise money for special education
South Yorkshire farmers are once again ready to spread Christmas cheer to the people of Penistone and the children of Woolley Wood Special Educational School.
This Saturday, Penistone and the surrounding areas will be greeted by a convoy of festively decorated tractors and wagons rolling through their villages and towns.
This is the second time a tractor run has been organised by Facebook group ‘The Tractor Lads’ in the hope of raising £750 for Woolley Wood School based in Parson Cross, Sheffield. It was their followers who chose this year's charity through a poll of 11 different ones.
A total of 449 people voted and a massive 49.7% (223 votes) felt that Woolley Wood School deserved this year's fundraising.
One of the organisers of the tractor run, Andy Lucas, explained: “We have 100 tractors and wagons booked in to take part this year and we would like to say if you can support us in any way that would be very much appreciated. We want to give the kids of Woolley Wood School a Christmas to remember.”
The run itself will start at 4pm leaving Crowedge, and then heading through Oxspring, Cubley, and Penistone before ending back at Crowedge at 6pm.
The run is just one part of the festive fun on offer. There will be a Santa’s grotto, food and drink, raffles, auctions and a prize for the best dressed tractor/wagon.
For times and information, follow this link: Facebook
Lib Dem student beats Reform by 10 votes in Woodhouse by-election
There were only 10 votes in it, but that was enough for the Liberal Democrats to inch past Reform, in a by-election that follows a string of similar local council setbacks since Keir Starmer walked into No.10 only four months ago.
Labour fell to a distant third place with 650 votes in the Woodhouse by-election, after a recount was requested on the basis of the slim difference between the Lib Dem candidate Willis James Marshall and Reform UK's Andy Hizzard, who received 1,008 votes on a 24% turnout.
The Lib Dems showed up early to the count, with their local leader, Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, present throughout the night. It was a sign of confidence from a party that has made a habit of pulling off by-election upsets.
Mr Marshall, a University of Sheffield (UoS) student and former Labour member, now joins the second largest grouping on Sheffield City Council having won 1018 votes.
He has pledged to listen to constituents and address local issues such as potholes.
Reflecting on the campaign, Mr Marshall noted the recent cut in winter fuel allowance as a particular bone of contention for voters he spoke with.
That cause was also taken up by the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition and its candidate Josh Crapper who scored 56 votes, as they hoped to build on their campaign to request that the council extend the household support fund to cover the 75,000 Sheffield pensioners who have lost their allowance.
The Tory candidate, Samuel Hemsley, another UoS student and former employee at BAE Systems, took the opportunity to highlight Labour’s loss of working-class support.
He gained 153 votes in total, just behind the Greens' Hannah Kate Nicklin on 168.
Saj Ghafur’s campaign had the public backing of major figures from the local and national Labour party.
Five of Sheffield MPs - including former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, who publicly resigned this morning - were pictured with the candidate, alongside the leader of Sheffield City Council, Councillor Tom Hunt.
With Cllr Hunt taking to his phone once the final result became clear, it raises further questions as to whether a pattern is emerging nationwide, as Labour’s working-class voting base exits left, right and centre.
As Lib Dem councillors cheered their newest member, for some the result signals an altogether different milestone.
Reform scored their highest result for a Sheffield seat despite what supporters referred to as a short campaign.
The populist party had stood aside for candidates from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) - an organisation that blends centre-left economic ideas with a right-wing “anti-woke” platform - in this year’s general election, and so the strength of its voting bloc remains relatively untested.
The SDP’s candidate for Woodhouse, Matthew Leese, tallied up 33 votes.
Yesterday's by-election took place following the death in September of the independent councillor Paul Wood, aged 67.
Doncaster to host England Women’s Under 23’s for the first time
Fans will get a chance to see the “stars of the future”, when the Women’s Under 23's come to Doncaster next week for the first time.
The Young Lionesses will host Sweden at the Eco-Power Stadium, home of Club Doncaster, on Monday night.
The club previously hosted the senior Lionesses team in 2021, where they played out a record-breaking 20-0 win against Latvia.
This time round the Women’s Under 23’s will be aiming for a top two finish in Group B of this year's WU23 European Competition, a group they top after three games.
Shaun Lockwood, Chief Commercial Officer at Club Doncaster, says the club is excited to host the events in South Yorkshire.
He said: “I think it’s an opportunity to enable grassroots teams and young fans to see their teams on their own doorstep. It’s great having national events at Wembley but when you can go to your local stadiums and see the stars of the future. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to support England.”
The match will see a familiar face return to the Eco-Power, Young Lionesses manager Emma Coates, who managed the Doncaster Belles from 2016-2017.
She said: “It'll be a really special night to return to the club with the Young Lionesses.”
The club is known to have kick-started many of the current Lionesses’ early footballing careers, such as Chelsea’s Millie Bright, goalkeeper Mary Earps, and Barnsley-born Bethany England.
Mr Lockwood said: “It’s those kinds of stories that encourage young girls to know there are opportunities to progress and achieve their dreams.”
Due to the senior Lionesses’ increasing popularity following their historic Euros win in 2022 they’ve outgrown many small venues like Doncaster.
However, Sarina Wiegman’s team will travel up to Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane on Tuesday where they face Switzerland for their last international friendly match of the season.
Mr Lockwood hopes these events will generate more local interest in football, and is keen to grow the fanbase by engaging with communities.
He said: “We work really closely with the FA and junior football teams to ensure prices are affordable so that groups can come to the game.”
Club Doncaster have also visited local schools, offering free tickets to pupils, as well as capping adult ticket prices for the match at £5.
With the Lionesses playing the following day, it is hoped the Under 23’s match will be a good “warm up act” beforehand.
The club is expecting a crowd of 3,500 for the game on Monday.
“She had to go through all of it right till the end”- Sharrow Vale resident speaks on Assisted Dying Bill
A terminally ill grandmother who "felt like her body was punishing her" during her final months couldn't die painlessly, according to her granddaughter.
Nicola Towse, 39, from Sharrow Vale, Sheffield, watched her nan, Betty Towse, die after she was diagnosed with a terminal illness - and speaks out strongly in favour of assisted dying.
She said: “My nan probably had eight hours where she wasn’t in significant pain.”
Miss Towse shared her story ahead of the Assisted Dying Bill, proposed by Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP for Spen Valley, which is being voted on today in the House of Commons in a free vote.
It is expected to be a tight vote, with many MPs still undecided on their stance.
Miss Towse said: “There is no amount of good quality palliative care in terms of what we can currently provide that could ensure that she wasn’t in pain.
“There were numerous times that she said she felt like her body was punishing her because she had to go through all of that right till the end.
“Hearing my Nan begging for a drink, when her secretions were so bad that had we actually facilitated that, she would have drowned.
"All the while my Nan was very conscious and aware of this happening.”
The MP for Sheffield Central, Abtisam Mohamed, has stated she will be voting against the Bill if it has a second reading.
It is because of the MP's stance on the bill that Miss Towse said she would not be getting her vote in the future.
Miss Towse said she has a close family friend, with motor neurone disease who would have liked to go to Dignitas, but when he had enough funding to go, he was unable to physically travel by himself meaning that he couldn’t end his life.
She said: “The reality is when he is no longer able to breathe by himself he can go into a hospice, where they could take him off the breathing machine, and then they would heavily sedate him so that whilst he’s suffocating to death, he wouldn’t be aware of that.
“At the moment, when somebody is having their discussion about what palliative care they want, it comes down to where would you like to die? As opposed to the compassionate question of how would you like to die?”
If the Assisted Dying Bill passes in the House of Commons today, it won’t return to parliament until next April. MPs could then vote twice more on the Bill, and various amendments to change it. After a third reading, it will pass through the House of Lords.
Louise Haigh resigns as Transport Secretary
A Sheffield MP has resigned from the Cabinet this morning, after a historic conviction for misleading the police came to light.
Louise Haigh, MP for Sheffield Heeley and Secretary of State for Transport, told Keir Starmer today that she will now best support his political project from outside the government.
The resignation comes after Sky News revealed last night that Haigh pled guilty to incorrectly telling police that a mobile phone had been stolen from her in 2013.
Ms Haigh said she discovered that the phone had not been taken until some time later and admitted that not telling her employer earlier was a “mistake”.
A spokesperson for the Conservative Party has said: “The onus is now on Keir Starmer to explain this obvious failure of judgement to the British public.”
Good morning from the Sheffield Wire news room
With political breaking news coming in just now, we'll be bringing you the latest from across Sheffield and South Yorkshire this morning.
Louise Haigh, Transport Secretary and M.P. for Sheffield Heeley, has suddenly resigned, following the disclosure of a fraud conviction from 2014.
Results from the Woodhouse by-election are in, with Liberal Democrat candidate Willis Marshall taking a lead of just 10 votes over Reform UK's Andy Hizzard.
Debate in the Commons on assisted dying legislation has begun, with the vote scheduled to take place at 2.30pm.
The Palestinian flag is set to fly over Sheffield and Rotherham Town Halls to mark the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, following pressure by campaigners.
And we're set to hear from retailers at Meadowhall about the impact of this year's Black Friday.
We'll keep you updated on these stories and more as the day continues.
Sheffield’s ‘Dig Where You Stand’ exhibition sheds light on unheard stories
An art exhibition which explores the untold stories of people of colour, who have lived in South Yorkshire for centuries, has returned to Sheffield.
'Dig Where you Stand', which opened last month, explores the unknown history of communities that often go unheard.
The multi-venue exhibition was initiated by creative director and artist in residence at Sheffield City Archives Désirée Reynolds, in 2021.
She said: "Dig Where You Stand is not only about telling our own stories but retelling them, inserting them into the fabric of the city, and locating where we were to show where we are now."
The project reimagines the lives of African-Caribbean working-class individuals, often reduced to mere statistics in archival records.
The exhibition, which ends this Sunday (August 18) is displaying artistic pieces across a range of public spaces. There is a mixture of painting, poetry, puppetry, soundscapes, film, textiles, and live performance, from 14 artists of colour, across Sheffield city centre.
Venues include: Persistence Works, Sheffield Cathedral, Moor Market, Sheffield Central Library and the Winter Garden, all of which are free to enter.
The exhibition has taken inspiration from Sven Lindqvist who encourages people to explore their own histories, and Saidiya Hartman’s concept of ‘critical fabulation', Reynolds and other collaborators highlight the racial aspects of working-class history, particularly before 1945, challenging mainstream narratives that suggest people of colour only arrived in Britain post-World War II.
The National Lottery Grants for Heritage, who supported the exhibition, awarded over £112,000 to the University of Sheffield, and promised to; commission new works by local artists with a public exhibition, hold a year-long training programme in archives for women of colour, and create educational resources for schools and community groups.
Artist & Advisor to Dig Where You Stand, Johny Pitts, said: "I grew up Black in Sheffield without a sense of history connected to the contemporary culture that surrounded me. Dig Where You Stand is an innovative, creative and soulful corrective to the reductive version of Sheffield we so often see in mainstream media."
The project aims to disrupt the marginalisation and erasure of people of colour from historical records. By doing so, it empowers racially marginalised groups to reclaim their place in history and encourages them to explore their heritage through the archives.