This morning ASH Chief Executive @hazelcheeseman.bsky.social gave evidence to the Treasury Select Committee session on tax and duty non-compliance on high streets. Hazel answered questions from committee members on tobacco taxation and the illicit tobacco and vape market.

FACTCHECK: A few small details that may be relevant… * EDF is bidding into the next windfarm auction (AR8) * EDF does not want that auction to be stopped * EDF plans to expand its own UK wind/solar capacity from 2-10GW by 2035

Lung cancer deaths trace the rise and fall of smoking— Lung cancer kills more than two million people every year, making it the most fatal cancer globally. While a number of factors increase the risk, the 20th century brought one like no other: smoking.

📻 Listen to our CE @hazelcheeseman.bsky.social speak on Radio 5 Live this morning about extending smokefree restrictions to pub gardens, as new ASH data shows 62% of the public support this. You can listen to the full interview here (beginning at 1:55): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Gave the approach mentioned in the article a go this morning in a Bristol shopping centre. Had conversations with people with very different perspectives & backgrounds. Not seeking to persuade just listen & understand. Moving how ppl share their life stories to some random guy from a local charity!

20 years on, the Govt has consulted on extending smokefree places to some additional outdoor settings However as our CE @hazelcheeseman.bsky.social says there's public support for stronger action & extending these protections to more outdoor spaces would be the next step towards a smokefree society

lovely graphic

helpful thread on implications for local government of last week's elections

Yes. And the reverse is also true.

Aww cheers @shaunewalsh.bsky.social

👑 Royal Assent When you work for years on a topic, see it initially stall in the House, then see it criticised by a small but vociferous bunch of individuals - I think people asked why I didn’t just give up. What’s the big deal about phasing out smoking in the UK? But I don’t give up easily! More👇🏼

Thank you to the APPG on Smoking & Health for their role in ensuring the Tobacco & Vapes Act became law🚭 Many APPG members have worked for decades to end smoking. Tobacco control is not a partisan issue & the APPG proves that. Parliamentarians across the Houses, working together with a shared aim.

The Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Wes Streeting @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social celebrates the Tobacco and Vapes Act becoming law. As he says, this legislation is a turning point for public health, protecting our children from the cycle of tobacco addiction.

The Tobacco and Vapes Act was first introduced under former PM Rishi Sunak’s Government. As the Tobacco and Vapes Act achieves royal assent, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP celebrates the new law and points to the cross-party support for the legislation.

This is the gift of the generational sales ban. A longer future with our loved ones. We will look back on today as the law passes as a watershed moment. The UK has moved from being a country that was gradually reducing smoking to one that will, sooner or later, end smoking.

A huge moment🎉 The PH community came together with the Minister @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social to mark the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill yesterday – and today it became an Act. Proud to stand alongside so many dedicated colleagues who made this happen. Truly a gift to future generations

Muy bien

My thoughts on former PM Boris Johnson appearing on BAT's podcast. Bottom line if Mr Johnson thinks this doesn't matter he is wrong. BAT is part of a global industry killing millions and actively involved in lobbying against regulations around the world: www.linkedin.com/posts/hazel-...

Indoor smokefree legislation led to an additional 300,000 quit attempts in 2007. 🚭 Now, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill presents an opportunity to create similar momentum, and encourage people who currently smoke to join the smokefree generation. 🚬❌ Read more here: ash.org.uk/media-centre...

Recently, there have been reports claiming the Tobacco & Vapes Bill may be incompatible with the Windsor Framework & EU law. In our latest blog, ASH CE @hazelcheeseman.bsky.social sets the record straight and explains why the Bill IS compatible with EU regulations and WILL apply in Northern Ireland

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's always great to see MPs using their professional experience as clinicians to support vital tobacco control legislation. @peterprinsleymp.bsky.social is absolutely right - the smokefree generation will save lives. 🚭

Thank you to @dannychambers.bsky.social for highlighting the health inequalities caused by smoking and the significant impact the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will have in reducing these inequalities while speaking for the Liberal Democrats in last night’s debate. 🚭

A huge thank you to @jimdickson.bsky.social for his strong support for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, and for drawing attention to the issue of cigarette filters, which provide no health protection to people who smoke. 🚭

What a fantastic debate this evening in Parliament as MPs considered amendments from the House of Lords to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 👏 MPs agreed that no vote was needed, recognising all amendments as valuable additions to the Bill.

Just lovely. Some of the content put out on No Smoking Day across the country. @pitncpodcast.bsky.social I think you had your scepticism about the role quit moments like this but they they can be a powerful prompt to quit with the right message. Well done to all involved in films featured

@ashorguk.bsky.social Data and Insights Lead, Laura, delves into some bits of dodgy polling out there on what the public think about the generational smoking ban. Spoiler: they're pretty supportive: ash.org.uk/media-centre...

ASH CE @hazelcheeseman.bsky.social shares why the smokefree generation can also offer an opportunity to people who currently smoke, as the indoor smokefree laws did 20 years ago 🚭

Earl Russell @earlrussell.bsky.social made an excellent case for a polluter pays levy during Report stage for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. The levy could raise up to £700 million a year, placing the cost on the tobacco industry, not consumers. 💰

Baroness Northover makes a strong argument for why tobacco companies should be required to publish their sales data. This would help local authorities, Trading Standards and public health agencies target resources effectively.

Lord Young of Cookham highlighted the strong conservative and cross-party support for the smokefree generation during Report stage for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill 🏛️🚭

Lord Pannick makes a compelling case for why the smokefree generation is necessary to protect future generations from a uniquely harmful product 🚭

Earl Russell (LD) praised the “collaborative spirit and cross-party scrutiny” from “across the House.” He celebrated the smokefree generation as “one of the most significant steps any of us will take as Parliamentarians in our lifetime to improve the nation’s health and wellbeing.”

This afternoon's Third Reading debate marks the end of the Tobacco & Vapes Bill's journey through the Lords. We're so close to creating a smokefree generation and a future free from the harms of tobacco. 🎉

📢 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...

🏛️Peers will resume Report stage for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill today. Here’s what to look out for in the debate 👀 🗣️Peers will discuss the details of the new licensing scheme for tobacco and vapes that will aid enforcement and protect responsible retailers.

Congratulations to Sharon Hodgson MP @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social on being appointed as the Minister for Public Health and Prevention. We look forward to working together towards a smokefree future.

A fond farewell to Public Health Minister Ashley Dalton @ashleydaltonmp.bsky.social as she steps down from her Ministerial role. Thank you for your work steering the Tobacco & Vapes Bill through Parliament - the Bill is a gift to future generations, protecting them from the harms of tobacco.

Today marks the first day of meteorological spring 🌷 March has arrived, and with it comes longer, lighter days. Over the next few weeks most of us will enjoy around two extra hours of daylight ☀️

Today we celebrate the 21st Anniversary to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control! 🎉🌍 Here’s to continued collaboration 🤝, bold leadership 🌟, and a healthier future for all! 🌎💚 #FCTCSavesLives fctc.who.int/convention

Don't tell @oha-updates.bsky.social but we did have a malteser every time someone made one of these arguments...

📢 Don't miss our CE @hazelcheeseman.bsky.social's blog breaking down what happened last night at Report Stage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in the House of Lords. 📖Read here: ash.org.uk/media-centre...

The smokefree generation is VERY nearly law. A resounding vote in the House of Lords in favour. The UK will shortly become the first country in Europe to phase out the sale of tobacco to the next generation. Quite a moment.

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 🚭

🦋 Updated | European #PublicHealth on Bluesky: 🦋 European Heart Network @ehnheart.bsky.social 🦋 The Lancet Regional Europe @lancetrh-europe.bsky.social 🦋 European Medical Journal @emjreviews.bsky.social 🦋 EuroHealthNet @eurohealthnet.bsky.social go.bsky.app/K2JB6CN

My first memory of being ill is when I had measles as a kid The morbidity and mortality of this disease allowed to run unchecked is high. Children may die This is engineered by grifters & bad actors, exploiting parental concerns Wish I’d had the vaccine. Protect your kids by vaccinating them now

"This is all part of how we reach a point where smoking becomes obsolete." Watch ASH CE @hazelcheeseman.bsky.social on BBC Breakfast this am discussing new Government proposals to extend smokefree places to reduce the harm from tobacco in England .

"It's an important question to be asking. The intention behind the proposals is particularly in reference to protecting children." 👂Catch ASH CE @hazelcheeseman.bsky.social discussing Govt proposals to ban vaping in cars with children on Five Live (~8.15am). www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

🚭The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will begin Report Stage on the 24th Feb. 📢 Last year, 1200 public health professionals shared their support for the Bill and urged faster progress. We are pleased that the Govt listened and the Bill is now moving much more quickly. 🎉 Now let’s get the Bill passed! 💪