One Year On: Progress & Next Steps for UK Tobacco Control

Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive, ASH

Today marks one year since I became Chief Executive of ASH. It has been a year of real progress for UK tobacco control, but with key legislation still not passed and 6 million people still smoking in the UK, it can sometimes feel like we have barely got going. So, it’s a timely moment to reflect on what we have achieved and our ambitions for the next year. 

In November last year we saw the return of the smokefree generation legislation, back in Parliament after failing to progress due to the general election. There was overwhelming Commons support for the legislation at second reading (415–47) and it comfortably made it through to the Lords where second reading was in April. The first day of committee was announced just this week for 27th October. 

But it hasn’t just been about legislation. We’ve:

• Made the economic case for investment in tobacco control, securing funding commitments in the Spending Review.
• Published a bold APPG report calling for a levy on tobacco companies to fund a Government plan to end smoking.
• Driven progress for disadvantaged groups – with smoking in pregnancy now at just 6%, while pressing for better support in mental health.
• Worked with the new CE of NHSE and colleagues to shine a light on delivery in the NHS.
• Collaborated with colleagues working on alcohol and food policy to produce new resources and insights to maintain progress across public health.
• Published a new 5 year ASH strategy with a vision to end smoking for all in society. 

Here’s to the next stage: turning momentum into a smokefree generation – the first step on the journey to a smokefree country. Once the Bill is passed, we have a busy time ahead, making sure that the regulations are as effective as possible and staying alert to industry efforts to undermine their impact. And as a smokefree generation gets closer to being realised, we must never forget about the 6m people whose lives are impacted by a deadly addition – too many of them from our most deprived and underserved groups. 

UK tobacco control is powered by an extraordinary coalition of charities, royal colleges, health professionals, and researchers, and I’m proud that the small but mighty team at ASH continues to sit at its heart, ready to advocate for our vision of a smokefree world for everyone.