Press Releases

Today, members of the APPG on Smoking and Health are celebrating the royal assent of the Tobacco and Vapes Act. This year marks the 50th year of the APPG’s campaigning and the ‘smokefree generation’ law, that will come into force on 1 January 2027 is a huge achievement for the group. The law will ensure that the age of sale for tobacco will increase by one year every year, phasing out the sale of tobacco across the UK.

• Royal Assent for Tobacco and Vapes Bill means children born from 2009 onwards will never legally be sold tobacco in the UK
• Ex Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who first introduced the measure to Parliament, welcomes the new law
• Around 4 million young people are expected to be protected in the first five years, with ASH saying 6 million could benefit if adult smokers are also helped to quit
• Campaigners urge ministers to seize the moment with the biggest national quit effort in a decade

ASH comment on media reporting that Keep Britain Tidy has received millions in tobacco industry funding.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) today announces that Professor Nick Hopkinson has stepped down as Chair of the Board of Trustees after seven years of outstanding leadership, and welcomes Rosanna O’Connor as the organisation’s new Chair.

New figures released to mark National No Smoking Day (11 March) shows that more than one million people in Great Britain quit smoking in 2025.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has welcomed today’s [Tuesday 24^th February] vote in the House of Lords supporting legislation to phase out the sale of tobacco to the next generation, describing it as a historic step towards ending the harm caused by smoking.