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Study to reveal long-term impact of vaping on lung health

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SCIENTISTS from Aberystwyth University are taking part in a £1.55 million research project to uncover the long-term risks and potential benefits of vaping on lung health.

The year-long study, called EVALUATE, will explore how vaping affects lung cells, immune responses, inflammatory markers and the airway microbiome — areas where key questions remain unanswered.

Unlike previous research that assessed lung health at a single point in time, this project will monitor participants over twelve months to build a detailed picture of how the respiratory system responds to sustained vaping.

Backed by £1.55 million from the Medical Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, the study will recruit 200 healthy smokers, including those attempting to quit, as well as a smaller group of non-smokers.

Professor Luis Mur, from Aberystwyth University, said: “Vaping is often seen as a safer alternative to smoking, but we still know far too little about its long-term impact on the lungs. This research is therefore vital, not just for science but for public health, so that individuals and policymakers can make informed decisions based on robust evidence.”

Professor Mur and his team will focus on how toxic substances accumulate in the airways after vaping. He added:
“Using our cutting-edge mass spectrometry platforms, we can monitor how toxicants in the airways change as people move from smoking to vaping. Combined with data on immune cell function, this interdisciplinary approach will give us a powerful insight into the true nature of e-cigarette exposure.”

Dr Aaron Scott, Associate Professor in Respiratory Science at the University of Birmingham and chief investigator of the study, said: “We will study how vaping affects airway immune cells and the epithelial cells lining the lungs. Since these play a critical role in the development of smoking-related lung disease, the results will provide clear insight into the effects of vaping on lung health.”

The project is being led by the University of Birmingham, in collaboration with Aberystwyth University, the University of Bath, and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

 

Community

Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home

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A UNIQUE exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month.

The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.

The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.

The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.

Families are particularly welcome, with guided family art tours available by advance booking.

The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest.

Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email [email protected].

The VC Gallery said it is looking forward to welcoming visitors as it commemorates Armed Forces Day while celebrating the power of art, heritage and community to bring people together.

 

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Crime

Retired vicar jailed after child images found on laptop

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Former Powys clergyman claimed he had “nothing else to do” when police discovered prohibited material during unannounced visit

A RETIRED vicar has been jailed after police discovered prohibited images of children on his laptop during an unannounced visit to his home.

Andrew Robinson, 77, of Talybont-on-Usk near Brecon, was already subject to strict monitoring after admitting child image offences in 2025.

The former clergyman had previously received a suspended prison sentence, was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order following his conviction for possessing indecent images of children.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police’s offender management unit carried out a surprise compliance visit to Robinson’s home on June 9, 2026, as part of routine checks on registered sex offenders.

During the visit, officers found an open laptop displaying animated sexual images involving children.

When challenged by officers, Robinson claimed he did not believe the material was illegal. Following his arrest, he reportedly told officers he had been viewing the images because he had “nothing else to do”.

Robinson was charged with possessing a prohibited image of a child and with breaching the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Appearing before the courts the following day, he admitted both offences.

The breach activated the suspended prison sentence previously imposed on him. Robinson was jailed for a total of 12 months and 12 weeks and ordered to pay £187.

Detective Sergeant Paula Rutherford said the case demonstrated the importance of monitoring convicted sex offenders in the community.

She said: “The law is clear. Possessing this type of material is illegal, deeply concerning and contributes to the wider harm caused by child sexual exploitation.

“Some people wrongly believe there are no victims when animated images are involved, but viewing such material helps sustain demand for abusive content and can form part of a pathway towards more serious offending.

“The safeguarding of children and the protection of the public remain at the heart of our work. This sentence reflects the seriousness of Robinson’s actions and the effectiveness of proactive offender management.”

Robinson remains subject to notification requirements under sex offender legislation following his release from custody.

 

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Crime

Drug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000

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A PEMBROKESHIRE drug trafficker jailed after a major cocaine and cannabis seizure has been ordered to repay more than £33,000.

Dean Evans, 44, returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing after prosecutors sought to recover money made through his offending.

The court heard it had been agreed that Evans benefited from criminal conduct by £496,533.94. However, his available assets were calculated at £33,337.37.

Judge Catherine Richards made a confiscation order for that amount and gave Evans three months to pay. If he fails to do so, he faces a further year in prison.

Evans, of St Clements Park, Freystrop, is already serving an eight-year sentence after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

He was caught after Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit stopped his Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, at around 10:25am on January 2.

Officers searched the vehicle after Evans admitted they would find “stuff” inside.

They discovered around one kilogram of cocaine in a cardboard box in the boot, together with 5.4 kilograms of cannabis in a black bin bag. The cannabis had been split into ten vacuum-sealed bags.

Swansea Crown Court was previously told the drugs had a combined potential street value of up to £185,000, made up of around £125,000 of cocaine and cannabis worth up to £60,000.

A mobile phone seized from Evans revealed what prosecutors described as a “dealer’s list”, with dozens of names and sums believed to be owed. Messages also showed Evans directing dealers below him in the supply chain.

At the original sentencing hearing, the court was told Evans had 23 previous convictions for 62 offences, including rape and robbery. His previous drug matters had related only to possession.

Sarah John, mitigating, said he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had stayed out of trouble for a “fairly lengthy period”, with his last conviction in 2016.

Jailing Evans for eight years, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “You are clearly a man with few criminal boundaries.

“You ensnared users and low-level drug dealers into debt, dragging them into a vicious circle of criminality.”

After sentencing, DC Phill Jones, of Pembrokeshire’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said illegal drugs brought misery to local communities and would not be tolerated.

He said: “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to any others who are tempted into the illegal drugs trade. You will get caught and you will go to prison.”

Photo caption: Drugs seized:

Dean Evans was caught with cocaine and cannabis worth up to £185,000 in his car (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).

 

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