Action on Smoking and Health
Encyclopedia
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is the name of a number of autonomous pressure groups/charities throughout the world which seek to publicize the risks associated with tobacco smoking
and campaigns for greater restrictions
on cigarette and tobacco sales.
following the UK Government refusing to act on the College's demand for laws to reduce tobacco use. Former health minister, John Dunwoody
, became its first director. Its present-day board of trustees reflects its continued support from the medical establishment as it is composed largely of doctors.
ASH was awarded a WHO
World No Tobacco Day
award in May 2011.
Its current Chief Executive, appointed in 2003, is Deborah Arnott. She was appointed Honorary Associate Professor Division of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Nottingham in 2011 and won the 2007 Alwyn Smith Prize awarded annually by the UK Faculty of Public Health to the person judged to have made the most outstanding contribution to the health of the public.
She is the sister of Jake Arnott
.
and Cancer Research UK
.
and Wales followed in April 2007.
ASH coordinates the Smokefree Action Coalition, the umbrella group for organisations working to reduce the harm caused by tobacco.
ASH is also a member of the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention Alliance
on Tobacco Control
.
company limited by guarantee and a charity registered in Wales.
ASH Wales is a public-health charity engaged in a variety of projects including campaigning for tobacco-control public-health policy, research, training, educational workshops, advocacy, and support.
The organisation is the only one in Wales with the sole task of tackling the ill health caused by tobacco use. The organisation’s main aim is to achieve a reduction in, and eventual elimination of, the health problems associated with tobacco use.
ASH Scotland was set up in 1973 under the auspices of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. It became a separate national organisation in 1993.
Tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking is the practice where tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled. The practice may have begun as early as 5000–3000 BCE. Tobacco was introduced to Eurasia in the late 16th century where it followed common trade routes...
and campaigns for greater restrictions
Smoking ban
Smoking bans are public policies, including criminal laws and occupational safety and health regulations, which prohibit tobacco smoking in workplaces and/or other public spaces...
on cigarette and tobacco sales.
ASH (United Kingdom)
History
ASH was established in 1971 by the Royal College of PhysiciansRoyal College of Physicians
The Royal College of Physicians of London was founded in 1518 as the College of Physicians by royal charter of King Henry VIII in 1518 - the first medical institution in England to receive a royal charter...
following the UK Government refusing to act on the College's demand for laws to reduce tobacco use. Former health minister, John Dunwoody
John Dunwoody
John Elliot Orr Dunwoody CBE was a British Labour politician.Dunwoody was educated at St Paul's School, then trained as a doctor at King's College London, and Westminster Hospital Medical School...
, became its first director. Its present-day board of trustees reflects its continued support from the medical establishment as it is composed largely of doctors.
ASH was awarded a WHO
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
World No Tobacco Day
World No Tobacco Day
World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31. It is meant to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe. The day is further intended to draw global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative...
award in May 2011.
Its current Chief Executive, appointed in 2003, is Deborah Arnott. She was appointed Honorary Associate Professor Division of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Nottingham in 2011 and won the 2007 Alwyn Smith Prize awarded annually by the UK Faculty of Public Health to the person judged to have made the most outstanding contribution to the health of the public.
She is the sister of Jake Arnott
Jake Arnott
Jake Arnott is a British novelist, author of The Long Firm and other novels. Most of his works are crime novels, and include homosexual characters...
.
Funding
ASH is a charity, describing itself as a "campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco", and is funded by the Department of Health, the British Heart FoundationBritish Heart Foundation
The British Heart Foundation is a charity organisation in Britain that funds research, education, care and awareness campaigns aimed to prevent heart diseases in humans.-Foundation:...
and Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity in the United Kingdom, formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Its aim is to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. As the world's largest independent cancer...
.
Campaigns
In February 2006, ASH won its campaign for a total ban of smoking in enclosed public places in England from July 2007. The ban included all pubs, bars and private members clubs, as well as cafés, restaurants, and workplaces. A similar ban had come into force in Scotland in March 2006, and Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and Wales followed in April 2007.
ASH coordinates the Smokefree Action Coalition, the umbrella group for organisations working to reduce the harm caused by tobacco.
ASH is also a member of the World Health Organisation's Framework Convention Alliance
Framework Convention Alliance
The Framework Convention Alliance , also called the Framework Convention Alliance for Tobacco Control, is a confederation of over 350 organizations from more than 100 countries which banded together to support the negotiation, ratification and implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco...
on Tobacco Control
Tobacco Control
Tobacco control is a field of public health science, policy and practice dedicated to controlling the growth of tobacco use and thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality it causes...
.
Membership
ASH covers the whole of the UK and encourages supporters to get involved in the organisation's work, or just lend financial support. ASH Northern Ireland, ASH Scotland and ASH Wales are separate organisations.ASH Wales
ASH Wales was established in 1976 as a branch of ASH UK. In 2007 ASH Wales became an independentcompany limited by guarantee and a charity registered in Wales.
ASH Wales is a public-health charity engaged in a variety of projects including campaigning for tobacco-control public-health policy, research, training, educational workshops, advocacy, and support.
The organisation is the only one in Wales with the sole task of tackling the ill health caused by tobacco use. The organisation’s main aim is to achieve a reduction in, and eventual elimination of, the health problems associated with tobacco use.
ASH Scotland
ASH Scotland is the leading charity campaigning for effective tobacco control legislation in Scotland.ASH Scotland was set up in 1973 under the auspices of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. It became a separate national organisation in 1993.