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Report
About ASH

ASH at 50: Stubbing out smoking since 1971

ASH
Dec 2021
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Summary

This report tells the story of an inspired and enduring partnership established 50 years ago to try to reduce the terrible toll of death and disease in the UK from smoking.

Realising that their academic but popular reports on smoking could not in themselves bring about the necessary change, in 1971 the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) set up Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) to lobby and campaign for tobacco control.

With this act of extraordinary foresight began one of the most successful campaigning organisations not just in the UK, but in the world.

Leading figures in UK and international tobacco control reflect on ASH's efforts to end the tobacco epidemic over the last 50 years.

How has life changed since 1971?

ASH 50th anniversary event at the Royal College of Physicians

On 2 December 2021, ASH commemorated its 50th anniversary at an event hosted by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). The event featured key figures in UK tobacco control discussing how to achieve the Smokefree 2030 ambition set by the Government.