Campaigning to improve health and well-being

ASH Scotland campaigns improve health through achieving political and cultural change.

Our campaigns are rooted in the best available research evidence and we work together with other health charities, academics, and health professionals - including through the SCOT partnership.

Living well can reduce dementia risk

There are around 90,000 people in Scotland living with dementia, and that number is predicted to double over the next 25 years.  Understandably people are worried about this. Yet dementia is an illness, not an inevitable part of ageing. Stopping smoking is a key part of avoiding dementia.

We are working with a range of partner organisations to explore how we can raise awareness that living well and healthily can significantly reduce your risk of developing dementia.

Mass media advertising

Just as tobacco companies use adverts and brands whenever they can to spread their addictive product, so can advocates of public health use the same techniques to encourage smokers to quit. We're campaigning for a comprehensive and effective mass media campaign for Scotland.

Tackling illicit tobacco

In advance of standardised "plain" packaging coming into force in 2016, ASH Scotland released a report, Dodgy Cigs, detailing the way the tobacco industry has raised ill-founded concerns about illicit tobacco to oppose public health measures. A short "key points" version is also available.

Plain, standardised packaging

Removing the branding, logos and designs makes tobacco products less appealing, particularly to young people. UK packs have been fully standardised since May 2017.