Action On Smoking and Health

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is the name of a number of autonomous pressure groups/charities throughout the world which seek to publicise the risks associated with tobacco smoking and campaigns for greater restrictions on cigarette and tobacco sales.

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) was formed in 1967 by John F. Banzhaf III, and a distinguished body of physicians, attorneys and other prominent citizens who saw the need for an organization to represent nonsmokers’ rights. Over the years, ASH has taken the lead on a variety of initiatives to counter the deaths and economic burden imposed by the tobacco industry.

ASH has a long and successful history of advocacy, education and legal initiatives in the fight against tobacco. ASH uses the powers of science and law to protect health above the interests of the tobacco industry. ASH has fought for health in courts, before legislative bodies and regulatory agencies, as well as international agencies such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization. ASH’s work and the work of its allies has spanned more than 40 years. Since the release of the original Surgeon General Report on smoking in January 1964, the global initiative for the prevention of tobacco-related damages has made enormous progress—and ASH has played a major role in achieving this progress.

ASH’s actions have led to significant progress, including:

• A ban on cigarette commercials over the airwaves in 1972;
• A decision by Congress to ban smoking on airline flights in 1990;
• The implementation of smoke-free legislation in a number of jurisdictions in the United States and other countries;
• A 2001 executive order by President Bill Clinton prohibiting the government from promoting the sale or export of tobacco products;
• Adoption and implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the first international treaty that deals exclusively with tobacco issues.

ASH relies on the support of its donors to keep its programs and global initiatives funded. Supporting ASH directly supports the prevention of tobacco related disease and death affecting your local communities and those around the world. ASH is a US nonprofit organization and gifts are fully tax deductible.