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Press Releases

29 April 2026

Historic Smokefree Generation Law Will Protect 4 million Young People from Tobacco Addiction in Just 5 Years

  • 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
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17 April 2026

ASH comment on tobacco industry funding for Keep Britain Tidy

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

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A cigarette butt on the ground
25 March 2026

ASH thanks Professor Nick Hopkinson for seven years of leadership and welcomes Rosanna O’Connor as new Chair

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.

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An image of Rosanna O'Connor, Nick Hopkinson and Hazel Cheeseman
11 March 2026

Over a Million Quit Smoking in 2025, as Health Charities Urge Smokers to Join the Smokefree Generation

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.

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25 February 2026

House of Lords vote to support landmark legislation to phase out the sale of tobacco to the next generation

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) has welcomed today’s [Tuesday 24th 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.

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18 February 2026

UK Government Takes World-Leading Steps to Enable a Ban on So-Called Cigarette ‘Filters’ to End the Harm from 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’.

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A cigarette butt on the ground