Health Policy

Current issues in smoking-related public health policy in England.

Smoking is a leading cause of preventable disease, disability and premature death in England, the UK and globally. ASH’s vision is a ‘world free from the harm caused by tobacco’. To achieve this requires comprehensive strategies, collectively known as ‘tobacco control’ which help addicted smokers quit and prevent youth uptake.

The UK is one of the global leaders in tobacco control, having gone further than required by the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control guidelines and illicit trade protocol which sets out the global framework for tobacco control.

The UK’s position as a global leader has been hard won. The tobacco epidemic began in Britain, with smoking rates for men (aged 16+) peaking at 82% in 1948, and 45% in 1966 for women.

Comprehensive action in recent years has reduced smoking rates in Britain to 14.5% for those aged 16+ in 2020. The difference between men (15.3%) and women (13.7%) has almost disappeared. Despite the significant decline more than one in seven adults aged 16+ were current smokers in 2020, so we still have a way to go before the tobacco epidemic is brought to a close.

See also:

ASH Law guide: for the laws, policies and agreements applying to tobacco and related products in England.
Tobacco Industry: for non-health policies such as tax, illicit trade and the environment.
ASH factsheets: on health impacts of smoking

In 2019, the Government pledged to make England ‘smokefree’, defined as smoking rates of 5% or less, and gave the tobacco industry an ultimatum to make smoking obsolete by 2030.

Achieving a smokefree future for all is essential, as smoking is responsible for half the difference in life expectancy between the most and least advantaged in society.

Smoking is an addiction of youth with most adult smokers starting before the age of 18.

Up to two thirds of long-term smokers will die prematurely from illnesses such as cancer, heart and respiratory disease caused by smoking.

E-cigarettes are much less harmful to health than smoking and have been shown to be nearly twice as effective as nicotine replacement therapies, such as patches and gum, when used in a Stop Smoking Service setting.

Secondhand smoke (SHS) is harmful to health. Exposing children to smoking also makes it more likely that they will take up smoking themselves.

Regulating tobacco products includes regulating the contents, emissions and design features, and the packaging and labelling.

Smoking is the leading cause of premature death and disability, responsible for half the difference in healthy life expectancy between rich and poor.

Learn about the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, designed to prevent cigarette sales to the next generation and reduce youth vaping.

The Smokefree 2030 Ambition

Tackling Inequalities

Youth smoking

Helping addicted smokers quit

Vaping and Tobacco Harm Reduction

Secondhand smoke

Tobacco product regulation

The economic impact of smoking

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill

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