Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Sep 9

Following Yoorrook Justice Commission report, Australia’s 1st treaty between a state government & Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people introduced to Victorian parliament. Includes formal apology, reframing school curriculum & greater use of traditional names. www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...

Australia’s first treaty a turning point for nation, Indigenous leaders say

The treaty between the Victorian government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders comprises a formal apology, reframing the school curriculum and greater use of traditional names for natural park...

www.theage.com.au

Reposted by Richard Edwards

Public Health Communication Centre @phcc.bsky.social · Sep 9

"The changes announced will give power back to the alcohol industry and undermine the democracy that New Zealanders value. These changes will limit communities’ abilities to object to alcohol licences, and also undermine the ability of Local Alcohol Policies to enact change."

University of Otago - Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka @universityofotago.bsky.social · Sep 9

OPINION: It was extremely disappointing to see the announcement last month from Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee on proposed changes on licensing in the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.⬇️

Government 'prioritising alcohol industry over health'

Opinion from Otago University: The Government's decision to reverse its support to limit the trading hours of off-licences, and also to remove the ability of communities to object to alcohol licences,...

newsroom.co.nz

5 9

Reposted by Richard Edwards

Mike Daube @mikedaube.bsky.social · Sep 2

Good, careful review justifying calls for action on alcohol marketing – and also noting that in some areas such as sport and sporting events, gambling exposure and advertising were even more common than alcohol. As so often, predatory industries use similar strategies.

Institute of Alcohol Studies @ias.org.uk · Sep 2

🧵 New Public Health Scotland review finds alcohol marketing is pervasive & harmful.

Key takeaways ⬇️

📢 Alcohol ads are everywhere – from sport to supermarkets – with children & young people heavily exposed.

📊 Evidence is consistent: marketing drives...

publichealthscotland.scot/media/34628/...

publichealthscotland.scot

6 6

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Sep 1

ASH UK: falling smoking rates not illicit trade = real threat to tobacco industry profits. "This is why they continue to do everything they can to lobby against tobacco regulations. Faux concern about illicit trade is one of many cynical tactics the industry uses to further their lobbying efforts."

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · Aug 28

Get the facts on illicit tobacco and debunk industry myths in our new blog post.
ash.org.uk/media-centre...

From smuggling to spin: how tobacco giants hijacked the illicit trade debate - ASH

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.

ash.org.uk

1

Reposted by Richard Edwards

News Eye @newseye.bsky.social · Aug 28

BREAKING: Big moment as CDC staff stage a mass walkout.

They have lined the street outside its HQ to greet and salute the four top officials who have resigned in protest at RFK Jr’s attack on the agency’s science base.

(🎥 AP)

170 3.4K 11K

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Aug 21

Rosaly LaPier on the ignominious history of using forced starvation against Indigenous populations. theconversation.com/the-dark-his...

The dark history of forced starvation as a weapon of war against Indigenous peoples

An Indigenous scholar explains how starvation was used to acquire the lands of Indigenous peoples. Her great-grandparents experienced ‘starvation winter’ on the Blackfeet reservation.

theconversation.com

1 2

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Aug 19

More cuts to public good research in NZ: $15m for Marsden fund adding to $11.5m reduction for HRC research. Science Minister states priority is: "publicly funded research to focus on solving real world problems that can be commercialised." Narrow-minded & depressing. amp.rnz.co.nz/article/7377...

Marsden Fund says it was given only a day's notice of further funding cuts

amp.rnz.co.nz

2

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Aug 19

Australia recently followed Canada in introducing pack inserts. Surely time that NZ Government did the same?

1 2

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Aug 19

Full paper available here: tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/earl...

A hopeful journey: responses to efficacy labels from people using RYO tobacco in Aotearoa New Zealand

Introduction Although many countries have introduced pictorial warning labels (PWLs), few use efficacy labels or inserts offering supportive cessation advice or outlining benefits of quitting. Theory ...

tobaccocontrol.bmj.com

2 4

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Aug 19

Brilliant new briefing & video (see end of briefing) by @laniteddy.bsky.social & @janethoek.bsky.social about new research from ASPIRE Aotearoa on how adding pack inserts with quitting tips & information could offer hope to people who smoke & support them to quit. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/bal...

2 2 1

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Aug 15

No comment needed! www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Risks of climate crisis to Australia’s economy and environment are ‘intense and scary’, unreleased government report says

Sources say delayed risk assessment includes modelling of effects of climate crisis in ways that have been little discussed in political debate so far

www.theguardian.com

1

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Aug 7

The uncomfortable contortions of New Zealand's Minister for Climate and Energy, Simon Watts. newsroom.co.nz/2025/08/01/s...

Simon Watts’ climate and fossil fuel hats sit uncomfortably

Comment: New gas drilling turns New Zealand away from a future of clean, cheap renewable power in pursuit of a dirty, costly fossil-fuelled past.

newsroom.co.nz

1

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Aug 7

@phcc.bsky.social briefing led by @judeball.bsky.social provides new evidence on awareness and use of nicotine pouches by young people in Aotearoa/NZ, and raises concerns about the Government's intent to legalise sales of these products. www.phcc.org.nz/briefing/nic...

Nicotine pouches and young people: Evidence from Aotearoa New Zealand

Young people in Aotearoa are increasingly aware of oral nicotine pouches, but many oppose legalising their sale due to concerns about addiction and marketing targeted at youth.

www.phcc.org.nz

1 2

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Aug 5

Report based on leaked Cabinet paper suggests NZ Government caved in to alcohol industry lobbying & dropped restrictions on alcohol sales hours that were predicted to reduce violent crime. Plus ca change ...... www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-dept...

Cabinet paper leak suggests Minister Nicole McKee's U-turn on alcohol sales reform

It appears ACT's Nicole McKee wanted to cut off-licence hours. But now, she's scrapped that and wants to 'focus on reducing red tape' instead.

www.rnz.co.nz

Reposted by Richard Edwards

Australian Medical Association @amamedia.bsky.social · Jul 30

There is encouraging news indicating a shift in young people's perceptions of vaping, with many young people seeing vaping as embarrassing and no longer perceiving it as a 'healthy alternative' to cigarettes.

1 2 3

Reposted by Richard Edwards

Prof Christina Pagel @chrischirp.bsky.social · Jul 30

this is a realy good piece and I can confirm that the strangest thing to me about living in America was how normalised the idea that gun violence was an intractable problem had become .

Brian Klaas @brianklaas.bsky.social · Jul 30

The idea that there was no way to stop the mass shooting in New York is insane. A few years ago, I wrote this essay, showing international comparisons and debunking many of the key pro-gun arguments. The US *chooses* to be an international outlier. That's it. It's a choice.

It's the Guns.

America is the only rich democracy that features the routine mass slaughter of its citizens with guns. Why does this happen? The data show a really clear picture: It's the guns. Yes, it's that simple.

www.forkingpaths.co

11 110 360

Reposted by Richard Edwards

The HEAL Network @healenviron.bsky.social · Jul 28

#climatehealth #publichealth - input from #HEALNetwork

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · Jul 25

“Such disasters cause grief, distress, anger, solastalgia and ecological mourning. These impacts are increasingly recognised as a substantial mental health issue.”

www.croakey.org/health-exper...

Experts sound health alarm on algal bloom crisis, calling for climate action and comprehensive responses

The algal bloom crisis across South Australia should be treated as a disaster for health and a clear warning about

www.croakey.org

4 2

Reposted by Richard Edwards

Huia Sue @huiasue.bsky.social · Jul 29

The tax breaks for Heated #Tobacco Products ( #HTPs) made by #PhillipMorris has been extended for an extra two years
In July 2024, #NZ government cut the #tax on HTPs in half, in what it said would be a one-year trial subject to an evaluation #corruption #AtlasNetwork
www.1news.co.nz/2025/07/29/t...

Tobacco product tax cut slated for one year has been extended by two

The tax break for Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) made by Phillip Morris has been extended for an extra two years.

www.1news.co.nz

1 2

Reposted by Richard Edwards

Melissa Sweet @melissasweetdr.bsky.social · Jul 29

Northern Territory Government under fire over harmful youth justice policies – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/northern-ter...

Northern Territory Government under fire over harmful youth justice policies

Medical, legal and human rights groups have condemned the Northern Territory Government’s planned changes to youth justice laws, warning they

www.croakey.org

3 5

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Jul 27

Article in the Guardian on the Open letter about university fees i Australia here: www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Tim Winton among 100 high-profile Australians calling for university fees that don’t ‘punish’ arts students

Open letter urges Labor to reverse JRG scheme, introduced by Coalition in 2021, as cost of humanities degrees reaches more than $50,000

www.theguardian.com

Richard Edwards @predwards.bsky.social · Jul 27

Open letter to Australian Government demanding end to university fees regime that penalise students studying humanities and social sciences. theaha.org.au/wp-content/u...

1

Reposted by Richard Edwards

Andrew B. Watkins @windjunky.bsky.social · Jul 27

For future reference - link to all past US National Climate Assessment reports (which have been made increasingly hard to find)
www.realclimate.org/index.php/ar...

5 1

Reposted by Richard Edwards

D Jukic She/her @dejanajuk.bsky.social · Jul 27

“Public health researchers at the University of Otago have called on the prime minister to show some leadership and remove the tobacco and vaping portfolio from New Zealand First, following allegations the party has been colluding with tobacco giant Philip Morris” #nzpol

Peters challenged on tobacco links

Public health researchers at the University of Otago have called on the PM to show some leadership and remove the tobacco and vaping portfolio from...

www.odt.co.nz

26 56

Reposted by Richard Edwards

JudithFlanders @judithflanders.co.uk · Jul 19

Oh my god, if you make cycling safe and easy, people will do it.

Who. Would. Ever. Have. Thought.

Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · Jul 19

Paris urban biking DOUBLED in just one year.

“Cycling in Paris has transcended mere trendiness; it’s become a fundamental aspect of the city’s identity. Despite challenges like inclement weather, cyclists continue to flock to the streets, setting new records and reshaping the urban landscape.”

Paris cycling numbers double in one year thanks to massive investment and it's not stopping

The report delves into the nuances of Parisian cycling culture, exploring the vibrant community of riders who navigate the city's streets

momentummag.com

7 170 630

Reposted by Richard Edwards

The Guardian Climate News (unofficial) @guardian-climate.bsky.social · Jul 23

‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks: Petrostates and well-funded lobbyists at UN-hosted talks are derailing a deal to cut plastic production and protect people and the planet Being surrounded and yelled at about “misrepresenting reality” is not ho...

‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks

‘Total infiltration’: How plastics industry swamped vital global treaty talks: Petrostates and well-funded lobbyists at UN-hosted talks are derailing a deal to cut plastic production and protect people and the planet Being surrounded and yelled at about “misrepresenting reality” is not ho...

www.theguardian.com

11 16