Frequently asked questions about our campaign

Tobacco advertising has been banned on television, in print and on billboards (see note 1). Yet children are still regularly exposed to branding on packs and attractive tobacco displays in shops, newsagents and supermarkets. By removing tobacco from public view, we can reduce the pull towards a potentially deadly addiction. We can also help the majority of adult smokers who want to stop smoking - and who wish they'd never started.

We know that many young people, particularly underage smokers, buy cigarettes from vending machines (see note 2). Removing these machines altogether is the only effective means of preventing underage smokers obtaining cigarettes from these sources.

We also know that on-pack branding, including logos and colour schemes, makes cigarettes more appealing to young people and dilutes the impact of health warnings (see notes 3 and 4). Studies show that plain packaging - removing these attractive, promotional aspects - could result in fewer teenagers starting smoking (see note 5).

It’s time to put tobacco out of sight and out of mind.

We are calling on Ministers to:

• close the loophole which allows tobacco to be displayed at the point of sale
• prohibit the sale of cigarettes from vending machines
• make plain packaging for tobacco products compulsory

This should be part of a comprehensive, long-term plan of action.

The sad fact is that half of all long-term smokers will die of cancer or other smoking related diseases, and yet the sale of tobacco is relatively unrestricted. We know that tobacco advertising and promotion, including tobacco packaging, deliberately builds relationships with potential new young smokers and encourages current smokers to smoke. We are asking for simple measures to ensure young people have the right to be protected from the marketing and promotion of a product that kills and is as addictive as heroine or cocaine.

Since tobacco is a dangerous and addictive product, it is important that there are appropriate controls on where and how it can be sold. A national scheme of licensing would strengthen current controls of underage sales, as licenses could be withdrawn from those selling tobacco to under-18s. It would help ensure compliance with any changes in tobacco retail displays. Particularly significantly, it would also help reduce the sales of smuggled tobacco as any sales outside of licensed premises would be illegal and the products could be confiscated.

Cancer Research UK works closely with other health organisations and coalitions to campaign for further tobacco control measures to protect children from tobacco marketing, and to help more smokers to quit.

We actively lobby the government to keep tobacco high on the agenda as an important health issue, regularly liaise with MPs and Peers, and submit consultation responses. See our public policy section for more information.

With funding from the Department of Health we run mass media campaigns, such as our Smoke is Poison campaign, to educate the public about the dangers of smoking, to encourage people to quit and to offer quitting advice.

We fund research into tobacco issues, including smoking trends, cessation, and monitoring and investigating the effects of tobacco marketing and legislative tobacco control measures.

Since tobacco is a global issue, we also work with partners in the EU and worldwide.