• Policy & Insight

Making a mark: looking back at three years of Smokefree UK

To celebrate the past three years of our Smokefree UK campaign, we’re looking back at three moments where our campaigning has made a mark. To celebrate the past three years of our Smokefree UK campaign, we’re looking back at three moments where our campaigning has made a mark.

4 July 2025

• Policy & Insight

Scottish Parliament votes to raise the age of sale for tobacco

16 June 2025

• Policy & Insight

A key milestone passed: The Tobacco and Vapes Bill completes Report Stage and Third Reading Stage in the House of Commons

After hours of debate in the House of Commons, MPs have voted in favour of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill during its Third Reading. After hours of debate in the House of Commons, MPs have voted in favour of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill during its Third Reading.

27 March 2025

• Health & Medicine

Smoking rates falling fastest in the North of England, but progress is slowing

A new study that we funded has revealed that smoking rates have fallen more quickly in the North of England compared to other regions. A new study that we funded has revealed that smoking rates have fallen more quickly in the North of England compared to other regions.

19 March 2025

• Policy & Insight

The road to a smokefree UK: MLAs in Northern Ireland vote in favour of Tobacco and Vapes Bill

Today marks an important and exciting day for our Smokefree UK campaign, with Members of the Legislative Assembly voting in favour of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at the Northern Ireland Legislative Consent Motion. Today marks an important and exciting day for our Smokefree UK campaign, with Members of the Legislative Assembly voting in favour of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at the Northern Ireland Legislative Consent Motion.

10 February 2025

• Policy & Insight

2024 in review - 7 significant steps forward for cancer policy

It's been a busy year for the policy team at Cancer Research UK! From campaigning for tobacco control to working internationally to beat cervical cancer, here are seven policy highlights from 2024. It's been a busy year for the policy team at Cancer Research UK! From campaigning for tobacco control to working internationally to beat cervical cancer, here are seven policy highlights from 2024.

27 December 2024

• Policy & Insight

Bringing our stories to Westminster – how our Campaigns Ambassadors are championing a smokefree UK

Last week more than 75 of our Campaigns Ambassadors gathered for Parliament Day to show their support for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Last week more than 75 of our Campaigns Ambassadors gathered for Parliament Day to show their support for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.

3 December 2024

• Policy & Insight

MPs vote in favour of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at its Second Reading

Today marked the second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament, where MPs were able to vote on the Bill for the first time. So what's next? Today marked the second reading of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in Parliament, where MPs were able to vote on the Bill for the first time. So what's next?

26 November 2024

• Policy & Insight

Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2.0 introduced to Parliament - What's changed?

Today the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to bring forward legislation to help reduce smoking rates, was introduced to Parliament. Today the new Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which aims to bring forward legislation to help reduce smoking rates, was introduced to Parliament.

5 November 2024

• Policy & Insight

Autumn statement 2024: What does the budget mean for cancer?

Today was the first budget from the new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves. Here, we take a look at what the autumn statement means for cancer. Today was the first budget from the new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves. Here, we take a look at what the autumn statement means for cancer.

31 October 2024

• Health & Medicine
• Policy & Insight

Around 350 young adults start smoking every day in the UK

New research that we funded has revealed that more than 127,000 18–25-year-olds start smoking tobacco regularly each year in the UK – that's around 350 per day. New research that we funded has revealed that more than 127,000 18–25-year-olds start smoking tobacco regularly each year in the UK – that's around 350 per day.

25 October 2024

• Policy & Insight

King’s Speech reintroduces legislation to raise the age of sale of tobacco

Today, plans to reintroduce a Bill to progressively raise the age of sale of tobacco products were announced in the first King’s Speech of this new UK Government Today, plans to reintroduce a Bill to progressively raise the age of sale of tobacco products were announced in the first King’s Speech of this new UK Government

17 July 2024