Its aim will be to improve the welfare of employees currently working in smoky environments. In the face of intense opposition from vested interests ASH has been busy working behind the scenes dealing with objections and securing support to try to ensure that the ACoP will come into force. See more information here . The theory, published as a letter in the British Medical Journal in November, is that the huge rise in the use of mobile phones could be a key factor in the decline in teenage smoking since 1996. These two facts may be related because mobile phones meet many of the same teenage needs as smoking.
Adolescents often view mobiles as smart, chic and adult.
They allow teenagers individuality, sociability and rebellion, while giving them an alternative for spending their money. The hypothesis received widespread national and international media coverage. See the ASH Mobile Phone report here . Despite a setback in the European Court of Justice, ASH has kept the pressure on for an advertising ban and it is expected that a Bill will now be taken through the UK Parliament - ASH will lead the lobbying effort and preparations are now underway. More information about tobacco advertising is available here .