Briefings and information
- Why smoking matters to local authorities – This briefing sets out the impact of smoking on council services such as social care, public support for action on smoking, illicit tobacco, the environmental impact of smoking, and the cost of smoking to the economy both nationally and locally. A tailored version of the briefing has been developed in collaboration with Fresh for councillors in the North East: Why smoking matters to local authorities in the North East.
- Tobacco control: what you need to know – This page brings together key resources and guidance to support professionals working in local tobacco control. It should provide a good starting point for getting up to speed with the current landscape, the rationale for focusing on tobacco control and action to prioritise locally.
- Vaping: what you need to know – This page explains the facts about vaping, its benefits for people who smoke, potential risks, and the latest regulations.
- Youth vaping: the facts – This page includes the latest information on youth vaping rates, potential risks, and the latest regulations.
Public support for action to reduce smoking
The public overwhelmingly supports action to reduce smoking rates. Support is strong across voters of all the main political parties. ASH commissions YouGov to carry out annual polling on public support for a range of tobacco control measures. Click here to view ASH polling on public support for tobacco and vaping policies in every region in England. The latest ASH polling on support for a smokefree society in England found that:
- Two-thirds of the public (68%) back the generational smoking ban set out in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. This includes majority support from voters of all the main political parties. Even among smokers, more than half (52%) support the move.
- 65% of the public want to live in a country where no one smokes, with support spanning all age, income, and regional groups.
- Nearly half (45%) believe the Government isn’t doing enough to tackle smoking.
- Three quarters (75%) support a ‘polluter pays’ levy on tobacco company profits to fund stop smoking services and youth prevention.
Protecting health policy from the tobacco industry
The UK is a signatory to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) – an international treaty designed to help countries reduce smoking rates. Article 5.3 of the FCTC requires public bodies to protect health policy from tobacco industry influence. Every council should have a strategy for adhering to Article 5.3 and elected members should avoid any interaction with tobacco companies or their affiliates. For more information see:
- ASH guidance on implementing Article 5.3
- LGA guidance for local government officers and elected representatives
- National guidance developed by DHSC
View the cost of smoking in your local authority
Use the ASH Ready Reckoner to view the cost of smoking in your local authority – The Reckoner breaks down the costs of smoking by region, local authority, combined authority, constituency and ward. It includes costs derived from lost productivity, healthcare, social care and smoking-related fires.