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CADAS News

18/6/26

Young People's News

Junior Citizen Programme 2026

The Junior Citizen programme equips Year 6 pupils with essential life skills and helps give them the confidence to navigate a range of real life situations as they prepare for secondary school.

CADAS are at the 2-week event (running 15th - 26th June) talking to young people about the risks associated with alcohol, drugs, vaping and other addictive behaviours and how they can protect themselves.

The quick-fire 15 minute sessions include discussion around addictive substances, the chance to look at our educational drug boxes, an engaging scenario based activity and the opportunity to ask questions.

Our Project Coordinator & Young People's Worker, Lisa delivered sessions on the first day of the Junior Citizen event.

1/6/26

Vaping Legislation News

NEW vaping bill made official on 29th April 2026

The Tobacco and Vapes Act came into effect on 29/4/26.

It will now be illegal to sell tobacco products to children born on or after 1 January 2009. This means the minimum age to buy tobacco will increase by one year, every year, until no one can legally buy these products.

There are new restrictions on how vapes and other consumer nicotine products (such as nicotine pouches) are branded and advertised.

There are stricter rules on where people can smoke and vape in public such as outside schools and hospitals.

There is a new licensing scheme for retailers that sell tobacco, vapes and other nicotine products. This will make sure that retailers are following the new rules and help the government enforce them.

There will be a new tax on vapes of £2.20 per 10ml of e-cigarette liquid will from October 2026 (approx. £2.64 including VAT)

27/5/26

Gambling Harms News

Younger Women are more like to be affected others

New analysis published by the Gambling Commission (UKGC) reveals that nearly one in 11 adults in Great Britain experienced harm because of someone else’s gambling during 2025.

The Gambling Commission found that while 48% of adults reported having someone close to them who gambled, 9% of all adults (around 1.6 million people) experienced at least one adverse consequence from another person’s gambling in the past 12 months.

The group of affected others tended to be younger and more likely female, with 55% female and 46% aged between 25 and 44 years

Despite the prevalence of harm, just 14.5% of affected others sought help due to another person’s gambling in the past year.

This is why early engagement from CADAS is so important. Often, by the time someone is in crisis, shame has already closed the door to help. A simple, compassionate question from us can be the moment someone feels safe enough to open up.

Source: iGB

Quality & Improvement Lead, Emma and Gambling Harms Coordinator, Martin delivered a fantastic gambling harms training session in Barrow this month, funded by BAE Systems Ltd.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of

Gail Jenson – Chief Executive Officer

Gail has 30 years of experience in the 3rd sector, public and private organisations bringing with her a diverse range of skills and experience in people and operational leadership, human resources and safeguarding.

Joining CADAS in 2021 as a Service Manager, and throughout 2025, has been working as Interim CEO. Her leadership has been invaluable, helping shape the foundations for CADAS and the team who remain committed to helping people in Cumbria with problematic substance use.

Gail says: "For over 30 years on the frontline and as a Manager, I have been driven, committed and passionate about supporting people and assisting them to make changes and realise their individual potential. Over the last 3 years at CADAS I have been inspired everyday by the amazing achievements of the people we support and the Team who are continuously committed to making a difference to people’s lives.

While CADAS was established in 1979 and is a constant in the community helping people; I am looking forward to the next chapter with the team, providing quality support, making change possible and exploring how we can further evolve to meet the needs of people who use our services."

Some exciting news

The CADAS Cumberland team, part of ‘Cumberland Cap’, are joint winner of CAP of the Year!

The CADAS Cumberland team who are part of ‘Cumberland Cap’ have been selected as a joint winner in the category of CAP of the Year for England!

CADAS have been part of a Substance Use & Sports Project aimed at Young People called SPARKS. SPARKS aims to educate local people to the impact Vaping & Alcohol has on sporting performance. CADAS has been working with CAP to produce a presentation with the help of pupils from St Joseph's Secondary School.

Local sporting personalities have been filmed supporting these messages, and Emma Thompson explained that our Cumberland team played an integral part in them being successful.