Our policy on tobacco control and cancer
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Cancer Research UK supports GPs to deliver best practice. We have created a central resources hub for Health Professionals which hosts all of our CRUK resources and further materials to help with managing the pandemic. We are updating the information as guidance changes. There is also a page specifically for patients on our about cancer hub.
Public health is facing a funding crisis
The Government must provide increased, sustainable funding for public health to ensure local authorities have the resources they need to deliver vital public health services, including services to help people quit smoking.
The #QuitforCovid campaign launched in early 2020 in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. COVID-19 is a new illness caused by a virus that can affect people’s lungs and airways. Symptoms of COVID-19 include a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath. There are some groups of people who may be more at risk of serious illness if they catch coronavirus, including older people, people with long term health conditions and people who are immunosuppressed. Emerging evidence suggests people who smoke are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection.
If you or someone you know wants to stop smoking, there are a range of tools available to support you. Visit the NHS Smokefree website to find out more.
Tobacco-free UK
We have bold ambitions about beating cancer sooner. We also have bold ambitions about ending death and disease caused by tobacco.
Our policy on tobacco use cessation in health services
The health service has a critical role to play in supporting people to stop using tobacco. Supporting people in not using tobacco helps to prevent diseases from occurring.
E-cigarettes
We support a balanced approach towards e-cigarettes, helping people quit smoking, but not promoting smoking.
UK E-Cigarette Research Forum
A partnership initiative to discuss the emerging evidence and knowledge gaps about e-cigarettes, identify research priorities and generate ideas for new research projects.
Standard packs
On May 2016, standardised tobacco packaging was introduced across the UK. Following the removal of point of sale tobacco displays from shops, these measures will help end misleading tobacco marketing.
Tobacco Tax and Illicit Trade
Increasing tobacco taxes is one of the most effective tobacco control measures. Making cigarettes less affordable leads to lower uptake of smoking and increased quit rates.
Smoke free legislation
Comprehensive smokefree laws ensure that workers and the public are protected from the harmful health effects of secondhand smoke.
Preventing cancer globally
Tobacco is the leading cause of cancer worldwide. The research and policy work we fund aims to change this.
Publications and research tenders
See all the latest and featured publications from our policy teams and and current research tenders relevant to policy.
Professional resources
Keep up to date with the latest statistics, evidence and information on diagnosing, treating and preventing cancer.
Our intelligence can support evidence-based decision making and there are updates on our activities, practical guidance, useful tools and resources.
Support those who want to stop smoking
Your local service that helps people quit smoking could be at risk as a result of cuts to public health funding.
Contact us
Get in touch with our policy team to find out more information about our work and our policies.