Caroline Cerny

Before 1918 women had to sit separately to watch parliamentary proceedings in the House of Commons. Today there are more than 250 women MPs, while just over 100 years ago they weren’t allowed to stand as candidates.

📢 Don't miss our latest blog from our CE
@hazelcheeseman.bsky.social dissecting the debate from the second day of Report stage for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

🎉 Report stage is now complete, and Third Reading will take place on Monday 9th March.

🔗Read Here: ash.org.uk/media-centre...

ASH is excited to be in Parliament today for the first Report stage debate of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in the House of Lords. 👏
The debate will kick off with the landmark #SmokefreeGeneration policy 🚭

Celebrating 20 Years Since Parliament Voted to Introduce Indoor Smokefree Legislation - ASH Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.

2️⃣0️⃣ years ago an 'impossible dream' became reality when the House of Commons voted for the Health Bill, which contained measures to prohibit smoking in enclosed public places.

To mark the moment, we asked 7 key figures to reflect on the vital moment for public health.

ash.org.uk/media-centre...

'Alcohol harm is a public health crisis — and industry lobbying is blocking action' - LabourList Alcohol deaths remain high and harm costs billions, yet industry lobbying helped strip marketing restrictions from England’s 10 Year Health Plan. We need better conflict of interest guidance argues Ca...

"At a time of shocking levels of alcohol harm, it is deeply troubling that the alcohol industry was able to exert this kind of influence on a flagship NHS policy."

Labour MP @catsmithmp.bsky.social calls for "robust" conflict of interest policies in government to...

labourlist.org/2026/02/alco...

Scratching the surface – what factors underpin public support for public health policies? - ASH This analysis of polling by by Public First for Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the Obesity Health Alliance (OHA) and the Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA) explores the factors that underpin public su...

What attitudes or beliefs underpin public support for health policies - and what can we learn & apply from support for the Smokefree Gen policy? Our new briefing with @aha-uk.bsky.social & @oha-updates.bsky.social dives into polling to explore this more...

ash.org.uk/resources/vi...

With just under a year to go until the smokefree generation takes effect, ASH CEO @hazelcheeseman.bsky.social has written to retailers to discuss what the policy means for businesses and highlight the long-term benefits of the policy for retailers and for children’s health.

Ritz among cigar lounges at risk if indoor smoking loophole ends Ministers face calls from health campaigners to end an exemption that allows patrons to smoke in upscale ‘tobacco sampling’ rooms

"Cigars have emerged as an unlikely focal point in debates as the bill passes through the House of Lords."

ASH Public Affairs Lead, @helenduffyash.bsky.social spoke to the Times about how all tobacco is harmful & how cigar lounges expose staff to second-hand smoke.
www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...

“‘Let's make it so that the only place future generations will find a cigarette is in the history books.” 👏

ASH was delighted to welcome Baroness Merron to our AGM yesterday. Her vision for a smoke-free future is inspiring and one we’re determined to achieve together.

The European parliament voted to ban calling plant-based food veggie “burgers” or “sausages” last month 🙄 This will NOT stop the growth of veganism! 🌱 ✊

BBC Christmas adaptation of Scarecrows' Wedding removes cigar scene Julia Donaldson's book focusses on the story of a villain named Reginald who accidentally starts a fire after lighting tobacco.

I’m a big Julia Donaldson fan, but I’m glad they cut the cigar. Little kids don’t catch the “negative message” - they just see someone smoking. Better to keep that out of children's TV. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-react...

These figures vindicate UK tobacco policy over the past 15 years, with the transition to vaping leading to unprecedented reductions in smoking prevalence, especially among young people

Now apply the same methods to alcohol, obesity, gambling

Overdue!!

Over 1,200 health leaders call for swift passage of UK tobacco and vapes bill Experts publish letter as peers prepare to scrutinise draft legislation six months after its second Commons reading

👏 Peers meet today for the first Committee session on the Tobacco & Vapes Bill (finally!)

ASH analysis shows around ~120,000 young people (18–24) have started smoking since the Bill was first introduced last November. 🚭 It's time to act.

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

How have big businesses used tried & tested lobbying tactics to attempt to derail public health policy?

🚬 Tobacco industry moves to derail the Tobacco & Vapes Bill
🍷 Alcohol lobbyists watering down government ambition
🍔 Junk food giants delaying the ad ban

Find out...👇

Dr Chris Van Tulleken shares what most people don’t know about cigarette filters! 🌍🚭

✨ ASH is proud to provide the secretariat to the APPG and to help drive this vital campaign forward. Together, we can end the filter fraud and protect our planet. 💪🌏

Pubs to stay open until early hours in push for UK growth Exclusive: Plans for England and Wales would help the ailing hospitality sector but have attracted criticism from health experts

“Licensing exists to protect people, not business profits. To push this through while alcohol deaths are at record highs raises serious questions about who this government is really working for.”

Today in @theguardian.com we discuss gov plans to review licensing👇
www.theguardian.com/business/202...

💯this

This is a company that makes and sells a product that kills its customers. Why on earth the BBC is giving it free PR is beyond me.

Autism should not be seen as single condition with one cause, say scientists Those diagnosed as small children typically have distinct genetic profile from those diagnosed later, study finds Autism should not be viewed as a single condition with a unified underlying cause, according to scientists who found that those diagnosed early in childhood typically have a distinct genetic profile to those diagnosed later. The international study, based on genetic data from more than 45,000 autistic people in Europe and the US, showed that those diagnosed in early childhood, typically before six years old, were more likely to show behavioural difficulties from early childhood, including problems with social interaction, but remain stable. Continue reading...

Autism should not be seen as single condition with one cause, say scientists

Labour considering charging workers for employment tribunal claims, sources say Exclusive: Reintroducing tribunal fees would be ‘a gift for bad bosses’, says TUC chief Paul Nowak Workers could be charged a fee to take their bosses to court under plans being explored by Labour as it faces pressure from businesses lobbying to water down its landmark changes to employment rights. In a development described by unions as a “disaster”, sources in Westminster said ministers were looking at reviving a proposal made by the last Conservative government to impose fees on employment tribunal claims. Continue reading...

Labour considering charging workers for employment tribunal claims, sources say

Some good news.

London is meeting legal limits for toxic NO2 pollution for the first time – almost 200 years earlier than predicted – following the Mayor’s "world leading air pollution policies," City Hall announces.

The Ultra Low Emissions Zone - and similar policies - really do work.

Despite being a teenager in the late 90s I never managed to see Oasis live. So it was a total joy to share my first live gig with my own teen mega-fan (who knew more of the words than me!) 🫶

First Farage platformed notorious UK anti-vaxxer, Aseem Malhotra, who insinuated that Covid vaccines caused the Royal Family’s recent cancers.

Now he’s openly trashing scientific method & evidence, pretending neither can be trusted & facts are a free for all.

This is deeply dangerous populism.

In a masterstroke of misogyny, this move not only blames Mums (again - echos of 'refrigerator mothers'), but also will scare pregnant women from using pain relief during pregnancy.

🚨 In a powerful opinion piece in @bmj.com, health leaders from @bma.org.uk, @rcphysicians.bsky.social, @rcn.org.uk, @rcpsych.bsky.social & @rcm.org.uk have sounded the alarm over the threat of cuts to NHS tobacco dependence treatment services.

As influencers spread ‘toxic’ claims, what is the truth about sunscreen? Too much exposure to the sun has traditionally been seen as a danger. Now claims that sunscreen is toxic flood the internet. What does the science say?

As influencers spread ‘toxic’ claims, what is the truth about sunscreen?

Policy incoherence in public health really bugs me. And this pub menu is a prime example. Alcohol is high in calories, but kcals are only listed for the non-alcoholic drinks 🤷‍♀️

New Data on Vaping Uncovers a Public Health Disconnect - ASH Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.

Today we published new estimates on adult and youth vaping in GB.
Media interest has been limited.
Has the media stopped caring about vaping?
Or is something else going on? 🤔
ash.org.uk/media-centre...