About

Action on Smoking & Health (ASH) Wales is the leading voluntary organisation in Wales tackling tobacco use. Our main aim is to achieve a reduction in and eventual elimination of the health problems associated with smoking and tobacco use.

The key activities of ASH Wales are:

• Communicate the issues relating to smoking and tobacco use in Wales

• Build effective networks of interested parties working in the tobacco control arena

• Provide advocacy and support to individuals and projects working in the tobacco control arena, and to those who are not adequately represented in public health policy or practice

• Lobby for public health measures to protect the health of all people in Wales from the harm caused by smoking and tobacco

• Undertake projects and research in tobacco control areas

We have a wealth of experience and knowledge on tobacco control issues and are happy to share our experience and knowledge with others. ASH Wales is involved in a wide range of activities including coordinating the Wales Tobacco or Health Network and the Wales Tobacco Control Alliance which we manage as means of bringing together the diverse work occurring in Wales in the tobacco control arena.

The Vision of ASH Wales is

"ASH Wales is committed to achieving a life free from tobacco for all people in Wales"

The Mission of ASH Wales is

"Towards a Tobacco Free Wales"

Where We Have Come From

Action on Smoking & Health (ASH) was established in London in 1971 by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) as a response to the dramatic rise in awareness of the dangers to health caused by smoking.

ASH Wales was established in 1976 as a branch of ASH UK. For many years ASH Wales, under the auspices of ASH UK was involved in lobby and advocacy work as well as providing support to thousands of people to stop smoking. A part time Director and part time support personnel staffed the organisation.

In 2007, ASH Wales became an independent organisation incorporated as a charity in Wales and also a company limited by guarantee.

The Filter

The Filter is the first youth dedicated smoking and tobacco information service in Wales and is a 3-year Big Lottery funded project under ASH Wales. It aims to promote the health of young people in Wales by filtering out the myths and misconceptions about tobacco use and smoking. The project has a bilingual website, social media and advice service which has a phone and text number as well as instant messenger. The Filter team travel across Wales to work with professionals and young people themselves to educate them on everything smoking and tobacco-use related.

Annual Report

Our annual report for 2011 - 2012 is available to dowload as a PDF below.