About ASH

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) was established in 1971 by the Royal College of Physicians. It is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco. We do not attack smokers or condemn smoking. The organisation is headed by a Chief Executive, Deborah Arnott, and governed by a Board of Trustees.

While we aim to be innovative and agenda setting in our work, our policies are always evidence based and follow a dual approach:

• Information and networking: To develop opinion and awareness about the “tobacco epidemic” 
• Advocacy and campaigning: To press for policy measures that will reduce the burden of addiction, disease and premature death attributable to tobacco.

ASH works towards achieving four strategic priorities as outlined in our Strategic Plan 2008-11. They cover all areas of ASH’s work, both in terms of current activities and future directions.

PDF versions of our accounts since 2005 are available for download in the Publications section of our website.