Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Action on Smoking Health (UK)

@ashorguk.bsky.social

2.5K followers 270 following 330 posts

Action on Smoking and Health. Follow for the latest tobacco and smoking news. Receive ASH Daily News at http://ash.org.uk/dailynews

ash.org.uk

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · Nov 11

👋 Hi BlueSky! We’re ASH (Action on Smoking and Health), a charity set up by the Royal College of Physicians in 1971 to end tobacco harm.

We’re backing the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill to phase out tobacco for the next generation. Follow us for updates and ways to help!
ash.org.uk/health-inequ...

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill - ASH

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill aims to prevent the legal sale of cigarettes to the next generation and curb youth vaping. Originally introduced by the previous government, the legislation is now being cha...

ash.org.uk

1 7 31

Reposted by Action on Smoking Health (UK)

Sarah Jackson @drsarahejackson.bsky.social · 1d

In a letter published today in the BMJ, we call for urgent action to correct misperceptions of vaping.

As long as public perceptions of vaping are misaligned with evidence, the opportunity for vaping to further reduce smoking is being missed.

www.bmj.com/content/391/... @ashorguk.bsky.social

3 3

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 1d

💙People with mental health conditions are far more likely to smoke - but rather than relieving stress, smoking traps people in a cycle of dependence.

🙂Quitting doesn’t just improve physical health, it boosts mental wellbeing too.
smokefreestarts.co.uk/campaigns/ph...

It’s time to talk about smoking and mental health – Smokefree Starts

smokefreestarts.co.uk

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 1d

You can read our latest ICB report here: ash.org.uk/uploads/ICB-...

ash.org.uk

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 1d

Great to hear @drlukeevans.org.uk MP at a @smfthinktank.bsky.social event at #CPC25 earlier this week talking about resources at an ICB level and tackling health inequalities.

This is exactly what ASH highlighted in our ICB report, which shows that smoking cessation is under threat.

Social Market Foundation @smfthinktank.bsky.social · 8d

🚨NEW EVENT🚨

At #CPC25, we'll be talking about how to make sure everyone has a long, healthy life.

We'll be joined by Prof Arpana Verma, Tom Almond @thebhf.bsky.social & @drlukeevans.org.uk

Sponsored by Policy@Manchester

1 1

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 2d

📺You can watch the full interview here (from 1:17:47) : www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Breakfast - 09/10/2025

The latest news, sport, business and weather from the BBC's Breakfast team.

www.bbc.co.uk

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 2d

ASH looks forward to submitting to the call for evidence, which is a chance to make sure that Government policy is informed by the most up to date evidence.

1 3

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 2d

This retail licensing scheme is part of a wider public health objective, supporting the government in creating a smokefree generation where smoking will eventually be obsolete.

1 1

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 2d

🎙️Listen to @hazelcheeseman.bsky.social on BBC Breakfast discussing the Government’s call for evidence on a retail licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes.
🚭Currently, you don't need a license to sell tobacco. This will make it easier for enforcement to take take action against non-compliant retailers

1 2 6

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 3d

Govt launches call for evidence to shape new regulations on key aspects of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
www.independent.co.uk/news/busines...

Shops to require licence to sell vapes under proposed crackdown on rogue traders

A licensing system would ‘root out’ rogue operators and give enforcement officers stronger powers to shut them down, the Government said.

www.independent.co.uk

2 3

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 3d

We are asking for the BBC to remove this article and podcast asap. Add your complaint here: www.bbc.co.uk/contact/comp...

Complaints | Contact the BBC

These pages have information about how to complain to the BBC, with links to the BBC’s Complaints Framework, the BBC’s regulator Ofcom and regular reports about complaints. If you would like to unders...

www.bbc.co.uk

1 2

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 3d

Would this be the type of 'strict' advertising that BAT wants? 🤔
Currently they promote nicotine pouches on public transport, town centres and festivals - despite claiming to only target existing smokers.

1 1 2

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 3d

We are appalled that public service broadcaster the BBC continues to provide a platform for tobacco industry giant, British American Tobacco, to lobby against the Tobacco & Vapes Bill.
So we fixed the headline for them...

1 7 10

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 3d

This new report from @ippr.org analyses the negative impact of alcohol on productivity. It highlights the clear association between smoking and alcohol.🚬🍺
Policy to reduce alcohol consumption could have important co-benefits in reducing smoking - a double win for health and economic outcomes.

Institute for Public Policy Research @ippr.org · 3d

🍻 | NEW REPORT: A quarter of employees feel pressured to drink at work events, and a third have called in sick afterwards. Alcohol consumption isn’t just a health issue — it’s a national economic and productivity problem.

Find out more here: www.ippr.org/articles/tak...

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 4d

ASH CEO @hazelcheeseman.bsky.social highlighted the importance of the UK’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill to give govt powers to tackle youth vaping with regulation, ensuring vapes are not promoted to children, while making sure they remain available for adults who want to stop smoking.

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 4d

The report also looked at vaping prevalence and reported across the world, teenagers are generally vaping at higher levels than adults.
www.independent.co.uk/news/health/...

Teenagers are vaping ‘at a much higher rate than adults’, WHO data reveals

Rates of vaping among 13 to 15-year-olds are ‘on average nine times higher than the prevalence among adults’, the World Health Organisation said

www.independent.co.uk

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 4d

🌎Europe now has the world’s highest tobacco use rate, surpassing Southeast Asia, according to the WHO data. Nearly a quarter of Europeans aged 15+ use tobacco, with women in the region leading global prevalence.
www.politico.eu/article/euro...

Europe now world leader for smoking rates

The WHO says the region has overtaken Southeast Asia, where smoking rates have plummeted.

www.politico.eu

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 4d

🚨New report from WHO highlights how the global tobacco epidemic is ‘far from over.’ 🚬
Worldwide, 1/5 adults are still addicted to tobacco, despite a 27% drop in tobacco use since 2010.
www.who.int/news/item/06...

WHO tobacco trends report: 1 in 5 adults still addicted to tobacco

The world is smoking less, but the tobacco epidemic is far from over. A new WHO global report shows the number of tobacco users has dropped from 1.38 billion in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024. Yet, tobac...

www.who.int

Reposted by Action on Smoking Health (UK)

Nick Hopkinson @copddoc.bsky.social · 4d

The number of tobacco users has dropped from 1.38 billion in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2024. Since 2010, the number of people using tobacco has dropped by 120 million – a 27% drop in relative terms. @who.int @ashorguk.bsky.social @asthmaandlung.org.uk #LungSky #RespEd www.who.int/publications... /n

WHO global report on trends in prevalence of tobacco use 2000–2024 and projections 2025–2030

This report presents WHO estimates of tobacco use prevalence among the population aged 15 years and older from 2000–2024, with trends projected to 2030. Estimates are at global, regional and country l...

www.who.int

1 4 4

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 8d

We need the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to reduce youth vaping.
Our data shows that 20% of children have tried vaping. We need regulation to reduce their appeal to young people.
👉https://ash.org.uk/resources/view/use-of-e-cigarettes-among-young-people-in-great-britain

Reposted by Action on Smoking Health (UK)

Mike Daube @mikedaube.bsky.social · 12d

Tuesday marks 75 years since the historic September 30, 1950 Doll & Hill BMJ paper confirming smoking as a cause of lung cancer. For 75 years tobacco companies have been selling and promoting products they know are lethal when used as intended.

www.bmj.com/content/2/46...

2 20 47

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 9d

💡Did you know that retailers don’t need a licence to sell tobacco? This makes enforcement activity challenging.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill gives the government the powers to create a licensing scheme for tobacco.

Something that retailers themselves support: ash.org.uk/media-centre...

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 10d

It’s been a year of progress on tobacco control – thanks to an extraordinary coalition of charities, health professionals, researchers & campaigners.
But with 6m people still smoking, we’ve only just begun. ASH CE @hazelcheeseman.bsky.social reflects on 1️⃣ year in the role.
ash.org.uk/media-centre...

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

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.

ash.org.uk

1 2

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 10d

Shame on the BBC for providing a free platform to tobacco giant BAT to push their lobbying messages against the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
👀We’re asking the BBC how this is in line with their guidelines on impartiality.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Big Boss Interview - #2 BAT's Asli Ertonguc: Vaping industry needs more regulation - BBC Sounds

The UK & Ireland Managing Director of BAT says the vaping industry needs more regulation.

www.bbc.co.uk

2 1

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 10d

➰ The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will give the govt powers to close the nicotine pouch loophole.

Currently, nicotine pouches have no age of sale and are marketed in ways that appeal to children. The Bill will restrict sales to children and regulate marketing.
ash.org.uk/media-centre...

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 11d

🚭 The Tobacco & Vapes Bill will create the world’s first smokefree generation.

Anyone born after 1 Jan 2009 will never be legally sold tobacco. No one wants their children to smoke, and this policy will protect future generations from the harms of smoking.

Action on Smoking Health (UK) @ashorguk.bsky.social · 11d

🔦With the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to be debated by peers in Oct, this week we are spotlighting what this world-leading legislation will do, and how it will improve public health.
👉 ash.org.uk/media-centre...

What does the Tobacco and Vapes Bill actually do? - ASH

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.

ash.org.uk