Caroline Cerny
@carolinecerny.bsky.social
Deputy CE @ASHUK.org, previous Bite Back, @OHA-updates, CRUK Views my own or from someone more articulate than me.
There's been media attention today about a review by RCPCH highlighting evidence on vaping & the risks it poses to young people. On BBC Breakfast, ASH Deputy CE Caroline Cerny said young people shouldn't use vapes. However, it's important that vapes are accessible for adult smokers who want to quit.
Writing in The Grocer, ASH Deputy CE @carolinecerny.bsky.social explains the upcoming regulations on tobacco and nicotine products as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act. Caroline highlights the vital role that retailers will play in ensuring this next chapter of the smokefree journey is a success🚭
Retailers are central to the next chapter of the smoke-free journey
New regulations are imminent - but much of what retailers will be asked to do will already feel very familiar, says Caroline Cerny of Action on Smoking & Health
thegrocer.co.uk
Ulez has delivered remarkable public health gains in a short period. Sadiq deserves more credit than he’s had for defying Labour pressure to U-turn after Uxbridge. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Ulez led to better lung size and function among London children, study finds
Researchers find capacity stunted by pollution restored after introduction of ultra-low emission zone
theguardian.com
Why comparing social media & tobacco misses the point🤔 Recently, you may have seen headlines comparing the harms of social media & tobacco. In our new blog, ASH Deputy CE @carolinecerny.bsky.social looks beyond the headlines at why these comparisons may have been made & if they stand up to scrutiny
📆 One year on from the disposable vapes ban, new data from ASH shows a decline in their use amongst adults and young people. 📉 Additionally, 60% of adult vapers say they reuse their products, but concerningly 18% say that they rarely or never reuse their vapes. ♻️
One for the history books. Today we started the end of smoking 🎉
🚨Big news! 🚨 We are delighted that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill has cleared Parliament, paving the way for the UK to introduce a smokefree generation and bring an end to tobacco-related harm in the years to come.
🚨 A new investigation by The Times has highlighted the reality of tobacco industry tactics & how they channelled £millions to charity Keep Britain Tidy via a middleman. www.thetimes.com/article/6ae5...
Tobacco industry gave millions to Keep Britain Tidy via middleman
Grants arrangement via an intermediary raises concerns that companies are trying to influence the charity’s campaigns with local councils
thetimes.com
Thank you to Professor Amandine Garde & Juan Collado Perez-Llantada for setting the record straight in The Times, in response to an article by Robert Buckland. As they say, legal challenges are a typical tobacco industry tactic to attempt to delay tobacco control measures. shorturl.at/4QBwz
It was amazing to see such strong support for No Smoking Day last week, and to hear inspiring stories from people who have quit smoking🚭 Huge thanks to Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence @cfex.bsky.social for bringing some of these stories together in this video🎥 youtu.be/SJ-BOgaDutw
No Smoking Day 2026
YouTube video by ASH UK
youtu.be
In our new blog, ASH data expert Laura breaks down how dodgy statistics can be misleading. 📊⚠️ ASH polling shows strong public support for the generational smoking ban, but recently a few polls have claimed the opposite. Laura breaks down why the results differ, and why they are deceptive. 🔍
😵💫Very early start this morning to discuss everything from quitting smoking to the upcoming Smokefree Generation for No Smoking Day on Times Radio this morning. (47.42 start) - www.thetimes.com/radio/show/2...
Rosie Wright with Early Breakfast | Times Radio | The Times and the Sunday Times
Listen to Times Radio live for the latest breaking news, expert analysis and well-informed discussion covering the biggest stories of the day.
thetimes.com
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 🚭
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...
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.
ash.org.uk
"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...
'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...
labourlist.org
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...
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...
ash.org.uk
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.
"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...
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
thetimes.com
“‘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! 🌱 ✊
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...
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.
dailymail.co.uk
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!!
expert reaction to ONS stats on adult smoking habits in the UK for 2024 | Science Media Centre
sciencemediacentre.org
👏 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...
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
theguardian.com
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. 💪🌏
“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...
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
theguardian.com
