Press Releases

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.

The UK could become the first country in the world to ban cigarette filters after the Government tabled a surprise amendment to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. This news follows amendments tabled by APPG Smoking and Health members Jim Dickson MP in the House of Commons and Baroness Natalie Bennett in the House of Lords calling on the Government to act on ‘filter fraud’.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) welcomes the Government’s launch of a consultation on expanding smokefree legislation, marking an important moment 20 years on from the parliamentary vote that delivered comprehensive smokefree indoor public places.

With just under a year to go until the smokefree generation age-of-sale law is due to take effect on  1^st January 2027, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Chief Executive Hazel Cheeseman has written an open letter to retailers across the UK setting out what the change will mean for businesses, communities and public health and urging the sector to treat the policy as a manageable transition with long-term benefits for business and public health.