Law guide

These pages are a reference guide to tobacco related legislation, policy and voluntary agreements that apply in the UK, including European Union and international measures.

Official texts of legislation and voluntary agreements that apply in England and European Union directives relevant to tobacco are available from these pages. Some of this legislation also applies in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. European Union legislation applies in each EU member state, but there will be different regulations to implement the legislation in each country.

The pages also includes legislation that has been passed but has yet to come into effect, legislation in preparation, and global initiatives such as the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Please notify enquiries@ash.org.uk of any omissions, errors or other suggestions
 

Overall policy

United Kingdom UK Choosing Health Delivery Plans (Policy Document March 2005) (External Web Page)This document outlines the key steps to be taken ...

International

United Kingdom Government policy on international tobacco control (Policy Document) (External PDF)This is the section from the UK Department of He ...

Advertising, promotion & sponsorship.

United Kingdom UK Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 (In Force) (External Web Page)The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act received Roya ...

Broadcasting guidelines.

United Kingdom Ofcom Codes (External Web Page)The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with re ...

Smokefree Places

United Kingdom Scotland was the first country in the UK to implement a legal ban on smoking in the workplace in March 2006. The law applies to most ...

Youth access

United Kingdom The Children and Young Persons (Sale of Tobacco etc.) Order 2007In force legislation England and Wales. A separate order exists fo ...

Taxation, Customs and Excise.

United Kingdom Finance Act UK Finance Act 2001 (Legislation In Force) (External Web Page)Provisions in the Act set out rates of duty on tobacc ...

Product regulation and labelling

United Kingdom Tobacco Additives UK Voluntary agreement on the use of new additives in tobacco products (Voluntary Agreement In Force) (External ...

Smoking cessation

England Terms of service for Doctors The National Health Service (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992 (amendment) (External Web Page)Le ...

Consumer protection

European Union General Product Safety EU Council Directive 92/59/EEC (In Force) (External Web Page)Although the regulations are not tobacco sp ...

Agriculture

European Union ASH statement on crop diversificationStatement to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control on agricultural diversification and c ...

European Union treaty and case law

European Union Consolidated treaty establishing the European Union (In Force) (External PDF)The European Union treaty was agreed at Maastricht in ...