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2025-03-31-accounts

ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH (A company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital)

Company No. 00998971 Charity No. 262067

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 MARCH 2025

CONTENT

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Trustees’ Report and Charity Information Pages 1 - 14
Independent Examiner’s Report Pages 15
Statement of financial activities Page 16
Balance sheet Page 17
Cash flow statement Page 18
Notes to the accounts Pages 19 - 27
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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31[st] March 2025

The Trustees are pleased to present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.

Legal & Administrative Details

Legal Status

Action on Smoking and Health (“ASH”) is registered in England as company number 00998971 and as charity number 262067.

Registered Office

Unit 2.9, The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London SE11 5RR.

Website

www.ash.org.uk

Directors & Trustees

The Directors of the charitable company are its Trustees for the purposes of charity law and throughout this report are referred to as the Trustees. Together they form the Board of Management. The following Trustees (Honorary Officers as indicated) were in office at the 31[st] March 2025 and had served throughout the year, except where shown:

Senior Staff

The senior member of staff to whom day to day management of the charity is delegated by the Trustees is the Chief Executive, Deborah Arnott (until 30/09/2024), Hazel Cheeseman (from 01/10/2024). The Company Secretary is the Business Manager, Philip Rimmer.

Auditor

Adam Fullerton, Moore Kingston Smith LLP, 6[th] Floor, 9 Appold Street, London, ECA 2AP

Principal Bankers

Barclays Bank plc, Leicester, LE87 2BB.

Structure, Governance & Management

ASH was founded in 1971 by the Royal College of Physicians and is a company limited by guarantee without share capital. Its governing document is its Articles of Association.

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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31[st] March 2025

The Trustees form the Board of Management of the charity. For the purposes of the Companies Act 2006 as the Directors of ASH they are also Members of the Advisory Council. The Trustees are elected by the other Members of the Advisory Council, who are also the members of the Company, at the Annual General Meeting. Not more than one third of the Trustees are required to retire at each Annual General Meeting. Retiring Trustees are eligible for re-election.

The Chief Executive of ASH, a paid member of staff, is responsible for the day to day running of the organisation and is responsible to the Board of Management which usually meets four times a year and is responsible for setting the strategic objectives.

To maintain a pool of skilled potential Trustees, new Advisory Council Members are regularly sought by the Board of Management, particularly from within the health, public health, public relations and political spheres. As new Trustees are recruited from the membership of the Advisory Council they tend to be grounded in the policies, working practices and procedures of the Board.

All new Trustees are advised of their responsibilities by the Chair and the Business Manager. In addition, they receive an induction pack containing Board policies and advice booklets from the Charity Commission. The training needs of the Trustees are examined and acted upon as part of the regular review of risks.

Remuneration Policy

The governing principles of the Charity’s remuneration policy are as follows:

  1. to ensure delivery of the Charity’s objectives;

  2. to attract and retain a motivated workforce with the skills and expertise necessary for organisational effectiveness;

  3. that remuneration should be equitable and coherent across the organisation;

  4. to take account of the purposes, aims and values of the Charity;

  5. to ensure that pay levels and pay increases are appropriate in the context of the interests of our beneficiaries.

Senior Executive Remuneration

In relation to deciding remuneration for the Charity’s Chief Executive, the Charity considers the potential impact of remuneration levels and structures of senior executives on the wider Charity workforce and will take account of the following additional principles:

  1. to ensure that the Charity can access the types of skills, experiences and competencies that it needs in its senior staff, the specific scope of these roles in the Charity and the link to pay;

  2. the nature of the wider employment offer made to senior employees, where pay is one part of a package that includes personal development, personal fulfilment and association with the public benefit delivered. The Charity recognises that it is, on occasion, possible to attract senior executives at a discount to public sector or private sector market rates.

The salary of the Chief Executive can be found in note 4 on page 23.

Related Parties and Partner Organisations

See note 13.

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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31[st] March 2025

Statement of Risk

The Trustees have examined the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that the necessary steps can be taken to mitigate these risks. Detailed consideration of risks is delegated to the Business Manager, who acts as Risk Manager and reports to the Board. Risks are identified, assessed and controls established throughout the year with a comprehensive review taking place at a minimum every year. The most recent was finalized in November 2024. The following risks have been assessed as being significant:

Risk Mitigation
Changes in Government policies,
funding for policies or attitudes.
The serious undermining of ASH’s work or
Government actions which impact on the
work we need to do:

The possibility of radical shifts in
Government policy. In recent years,
tobacco control policy has ceased to be
an issue of serious contention between
parties though it remains so for
individual MPs and Peers.

Funding cuts to Government work on
tobacco control policies. The
Department of Health & Social Care
(DHSC) team has already been cut
back over a period of years, including
ending funding ASH work, and other
relevant areas of Government activity
will face spending cuts during the period
of this Parliament.

ASH has worked well in the past with
Conservative, Labour and Coalition
administrations. Key staff continue with
work to maintain good and friendly
relations with key political and civil
service decision makers and with
relevant individuals in all political
parties.

We have secured a strong relationship
with NHS England teams working on
prevention and health inequalities.

We continue to have regular meetings
with staff at DHSC and the Office of
Health Improvement and Disparities
(OHID) who are working on tobacco to
ensure we are up to date on public
health priorities and can provide input as
appropriate.

Networking to ensure Smoke Free
Action Coalition (SFAC) members
continue to support tobacco control
policies.
Cyber Security
This would include any unauthorised
access to email accounts, documents,
financial records and other data stored on
the Cloud and our bank accounts. Any of
these would seriously impact our ability to
do our work in the short term.

Staff training and awareness raising with
a particular emphasis on phishing
emails and running software updates.

Regular back-ups of data - back-ups are
made on an ongoing basis and, should
access be lost, or data compromised,
we can be up and running again within
24 hours.

Regular updates of all software -
Firewall and virus protection kept up-to-
date on all computer equipment. This is
ongoing and automatic. All networked,
personal drives and e-mail are stored on
The Cloud.

Use of strong passwords.

Maintaining an effective working
relationship with our external IT support
supplier and taking their advice.

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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31[st] March 2025

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 Maintaining the physical security of
hardware.
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Action on Smoking and Health
Report of the Trustees
31st March 2025
Action on Smoking and Health
Report of the Trustees
31st March 2025

Maintaining the physical security of
hardware.
Excessive dependence on a limited
number of sources of funding.
ASH is fortunate in that it has a record
going back to the 1990s of receiving what
is, in effect, core funding from BHF and
CRUK. Such funding is becoming
increasingly rare. Our continuing reliance
on 2 core funders remains a serious
weakness.

ASH undertakes an ongoing search for
new sources of project funding; be it
grants or contract work.

In the past 8 years, sources have
included OHID/PHE, NHS England,
Fresh/Balance, Greater Manchester
Health & Social Care Partnership, ASH
in Wales, Royal College of Psychiatrists
in addition to various universities and
local authorities.

A reserves policy that permits 6-12
months cash reserves. This will help to
mitigate the impact of grant funding
being removed or reduced by reducing
the need to cut costs quickly and
allowing for a gradual, properly
managed re-structuring of the charity
over a 12-month period.

Should ASH lose both sources of core
funding, the two most realistic options
would be to seek to merge, or be taken
over by, another charity active in our
field, or winding-up.

The next comprehensive review of risk is due to take place during 2025.

Objectives

As stated in its Articles of Association, the objectives of the Charity are:

  1. to preserve and protect the health of the public against the harmful effects of cigarette or other tobacco products; and

  2. to advance the education of the public about the effects of cigarette and other tobacco and nicotine products.

The Trustees have complied with the duty in Section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.

Activity and Impact Report

ASH seeks to bring about change through advocacy, networking coalition building and information provision. During 2020-21, the organisation developed a new comprehensive Strategic Plan for 2021-24. During this financial year, we have delivered against the plan, as set out in the Activity Report below.

Our strategic aims and objectives are focused on the creation and delivery of policies across government and the public sector that will deliver our vision of a world free from the harm caused by tobacco.

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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31[st] March 2025

Strategy & Plans for Future Periods

The Strategic Plan for 2021-24 was developed between December 2020 and March 2021, informed by a series of interviews with key stakeholders and ASH Trustees, an online questionnaire and a series of strategic planning meetings held in the first quarter of 2021. ASH seeks to bring about change through policy advocacy, coalition building and information provision. Our strategic aims and objectives are focused on the creation and delivery of policies across government and the public sector that will deliver our vision of a world free from the harm caused by tobacco.

There are three primary strategic aims, each of which has several specific policy objectives. These aims are:

  1. Secure resources for national, regional and local tobacco control to deliver Smokefree 2030 for all.

  2. Advance UK position as a global leader in tobacco policy to deliver Smokefree 2030 for all.

  3. Minimise smoking-related health inequalities to deliver Smokefree 2030 for all.

  4. Secure organisational sustainability.

These aims, and their associated objectives, amount to a policy blueprint for government and the public health community. They describe the policies that ASH believes are essential to the delivery of a Smokefree 2030 for all, policies that ASH:

Each of these aims is explicitly linked to our goal of delivering Smokefree 2030 for all. The three aims are all equally important to achieving this goal. Appropriate resourcing is needed to deliver ambitious policy, and the achievement of the 2030 goal for all requires a clear focus on tackling inequalities. The aims are underpinned by a fourth aim that supports the delivery of, the other three: securing organisational sustainability for ASH.

There is no explicit prioritisation or sequencing as this will be a matter for more detailed discussion at an operational level and will change over time as the environment we work in changes. The following general points are, however, relevant:

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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31st March 2025 In October 2024, Hazel Cheeseman look up the post as Chief Executive. It had previously been agreed that the new strategy would be developed by the incoming Chief Executive. In 2024125 ASH went through a process to develop and agree and new strategy for the next five years commencing in April 2025. This process included: interviews with external stakeholders and trustees, quantitative survey of stakeholders, insights work with smokers and ex-smokers, assessment of the external landscape and workshops with staff and trustees. Our strategic aims for the next five years are to secure.. 1. Transformative legislation 2. RedU￿d inequalilies in smoking rates 3. Comprehensive tobacco control strategies properly funded These three stralegic aims will be underpinned by a corporate aim- 4. Strong organisation equipped to deliver on our goals Our goals are to secure tangible change in three areas. Our goals are.. ONE START8 In 5 years fewer than 2% of 15 year olds smoke In 10 y8ar5 f8wer than 1°/0 of 15 year olds smok8 EVERYOWE 8TOPS . In J years srnokino rète5 7.2Y. In 10 ygars smokln9 raigs below 5% NO PROFIT IN TOWCCO . UK tobac￿ company proffts limited tty thc69 of avgro prcKlucts110% versus 60%) UK is futLJfÉ-prDofed auainst indus These strategic aims and goals will guide our activity over Ihe next 5 years. The full ASH strategic plan for 2025-30 can be found on our website Activity Report The Tobacco and Vapes Bill (Strategic Aims 1,2,3) ASH has undertaken extensive parliamentary engagement throughout 2024125, centred around the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and broader tobacco control policy. ASH has undertaken a proactive legislative strategy, All Party Parliamentary Group (APPGI on Smoking & Health coordination, party political engagement, select committee outreach, and evidence-driven advocacy. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill had a turbulent year. Tabled in the last parliament under the Conservative Government it fell when the general election was called. ASH pivoted to manifesto advocacy following the general election announcement and coordinated outreach to parliamentary candidates with polling data and a Gall to support the Bill. All candidates were contacted with constiluency-level data showing support for Smokefree Generation policies. Partners and public supporters were mobilized to amplify this message and

Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31[st] March 2025

party officials engaged. Both Labour and Conservative manifestos included a commitment to bring back the Bill following the election.

ASH engaged in significant post-election activity to encourage rapid tabling of the Bill. A coordinated letter from leading health figures advocated that the Bill be included in The King’s Speech, which it duly was, and the Bill was tabled for first reading in the Commons in November.

The new Bill has the same centrepiece as the Conservative legislation, the phased-out sale of tobacco to the next generation but also includes comprehensive regulations of all tobacco and nicotine products, retail licensing powers and powers to extend smokefree legislation.

ASH coordinated briefings with wide endorsement from Smokefree Action Coalition members and engaged MPs in speaking during the debates, tabling amendments and showing their support. The Bill passed into the House of Lords on 26[th] March with overwhelming support (366 to 41). ASH provided written and oral evidence to the Bill Committee, ASH’s contributions were cited multiple times in parliamentary debates, including data and speeches written for APPG members.

Throughout the passage of the Bill ASH has kept wider stakeholders informed and supported them to engage with parliamentarians. Events have included webinar with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Public Health Minister, attended by 430 health professionals and stakeholders and a parliamentary event with survivors of smoking.

Budget and spending review (Strategic Aims 1,2)

With the change of government there has been a spending review and budget from a new Chancellor. ASH has worked hard to ensure that funding committed under the last government has been largely maintained. ASH’s economic analysis played an important role in informing both the budget and the spending review.

Updated economic analysis was included in ASH’s 2024 budget submission, created with input from UCL and Landman Economics. It reinforced the case for investing in tobacco control by illustrating broader economic gains.

ASH contributed its updated findings to the government’s Impact Assessment for the Smokefree Generation legislation.

ASH’s economic modelling played a prominent role in the second reading debate of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. MPs across parties cited ASH’s data, demonstrating the utility of economic framing in legislative contexts.

Supporting local government (Strategic Aims 2,3)

In addition to national advocacy agenda ASH has continued to support local authorities, focusing on tobacco control funding, strategic collaboration, housing initiatives, advocacy, and datainformed support.

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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31[st] March 2025

stakeholders. The Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) endorsed briefing was presented in various DsPH regional network meetings to further engage local leaders and launched through a webinar attended by 200 people with speakers including leading academics and public health officials.

Supporting implementation of NHS Long Term Plan (Strategic Aims 1,3)

In addition to our work with local government we have maintained our engagement of NHS networks. This activity has been reduced during this financial year as a result of reduced funding from NHS England.

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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31[st] March 2025

Improving support for smokers with mental health conditions (Strategic Aim 3)

ASH continues its impactful work to progress action on addressing the inequalities in smoking among people with mental health conditions. This year ASH has advanced the agenda through advocacy, partnerships, research, policy influence, academic collaboration, and lived experience integration to reduce smoking among individuals with mental health conditions.

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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31[st] March 2025

Rowland was invited to give evidence to the Bill Committee, something ASH supported him to do.

Improving support for pregnant smokers (Strategic Aim 3)

Addressing smoking in pregnancy remains a key part of our strategy to address health inequalities caused by smoking with smoking rates falling rapidly during the year as long-standing recommendations made by ASH have been implemented.

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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31[st] March 2025

Addressing tobacco industry interference (Strategic Aim 2)

This year ASH has undertaken proactive work to track lobbying, raising awareness among policymakers, and collaborating with academic and media partners to expose industry tactics undermining tobacco control legislation.

Cross-Risk Factor Working (Strategic Aims 2 and 3)

In 2024 ASH accelerated work done collaboratively around tobacco, alcohol and obesity. This has allowed us to advance public health agenda in general with a focus on health inequalities and to shine a light on the influence of business on good health.

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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31[st] March 2025

Vaping (Strategic Aims 1 and 2)

Vaping remains a crucial area of activity for ASH to support the UK to have a policy position which reflects the best evidence and seeks both to rapidly reduce smoking and to protect children from uptake.

The government is taking significant powers through the Tobacco and Vapes Bill to regulate vapes and other nicotine products. These powers align with ASH recommendations. The Government has also progressed a ban on single-use vapes and committed to flat-rate vape excise tax which again has been updated following consultation and reflects ASH recommendations.

ASH believes that the combination of powers, regulations and tax which government intendeds to bring in will provide the tools to address youth vaping. Calibration will be needed to ensure that there are not unintended consequences in terms of adults returning to smoking.

ASH has continued to publish updated youth and adult vaping fact. These provided updated usage trends and policy insights. Youth vaping remained stable year-on-year, while vaping among adult smokers and recent quitters continued to grow. Half of all those who had quit smoking in last five years had used vapes to quit. Nicotine pouch use remained low but rising, prompting calls for stronger regulation within the new legislative framework.

This data continues to influence the policy agenda in the UK and further afield.

Secure organisational sustainability

At all times, ASH endeavours to maximise efficiency and minimise organisational costs. We continue to support our staff with flexible and hybrid working options.

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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31[st] March 2025

Finance

Investments Policy

When not required, the free reserves held by the charity are held on deposit and may be placed on short-term Treasury Deposits at the discretion of the Business Manager.

Principal Funding Sources

Core funding for the entire program of work of the Charity was provided by:

Financial Review

The year saw a reduction of funds of £47,641 being the excess of expenditure over income for the year. Total income of £913,072 was 1% higher than the previous year.

Charitable expenditure, at £960,713 decreased by 1% compared to the previous year. ASH finished the year with cash balances of £752,729 (down £129,365 from last year) and net assets of £893,302.

Having made transfers of £43,407 from general funds to meet deficiencies on the various projects for which restricted funds were available, the balance of general funds at the end of the year decreased by £47,037 to £886,618.

Reserves Policy

Reserves are maintained at a level that enables the Charity to manage financial risk, such as the loss of funding sources, allowing the Charity to sustain current activities in the short-term and ensuring that financial commitments can be met as they fall due.

The reserves measure is on a ‘managed cash’ basis. ‘Managed cash’ includes all amounts available to finance the general activities of the Charity, and normally include the cash held in the Charity’s bank accounts. The targeted level of reserves is a minimum of six months (£487K) and a maximum of 12 months (£975K), annualised forecast cash outflow. Six months is considered a reasonable time period considering the Charity’s two major funding sources are received quarterly in arrears.

If the Charity were to suffer a loss of a funding source, the reserves would allow only a short-term maintenance of current activity levels. Steps would still need to be taken to either replace the funding source or to change activities in the longer-term. The current level of managed cash (£752K) is within the desired range.

Thanks

The Trustees would like to thank the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and our partners in the Smokefree Action Coalition for supporting our work during the year. In addition, they would like to thank all of the ASH staff for their work during the year.

Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees (who are also the Directors of Action on Smoking & Health for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

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Action on Smoking and Health Report of the Trustees 31st March 2025 Company law requires the Trustees lo prepare financial slalements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the slate of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources. including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Iruslees are required lo.. select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently., observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP., make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent., slate whether applicable U K Accounting Standards have been followed. subject lo any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial slatemenls.. and prepare the financial slalemenls on a going concern basis unless il is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy al any lime the financial position of the company and enable them lo ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Small Company Exemption The above report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of section 416 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and Section 162 of the Charities Act 2011. On behalf of the Trustees Professor Nick Hopkinson Chair Dale.. 22nd September 2025 14

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act') under section 145. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent Examiner's Statement

Since the charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Adam Fullerton

(ICAEW)

For and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP

Chartered Accountants

6th Floor 9 Appold Street London EC2A 2AP

Date: 25 September 2025

15

ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

(INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Note
Income and Endowments From:
Unrestricted activities
Grants
2
Donations
Interest
Charitable activities
Grants
2
Contract income
Other income
Total Income
Expenditure On:
Charitable activities
Policy Research and Information
3
Total Expenditure
Transfers
8, 9, 10
Net Movement in Funds
Funds brought forward
Funds carried forward
Net (expenditure)/income for the
year before transfers
General
Designated
£
£
685,826
-
4,607
-
17,798
-
-
-
111,739
-
26,000
-
845,970
-
849,600
3,357
849,600
3,357
(3,630)
(3,357)
(43,407)
2,753
(47,037)
(604)
933,655
7,288
886,618
6,684
Note 10
Note 9
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
67,102
-
-
67,102
107,756
107,756
(40,654)
40,654
-
-
-
Note 8
Total
2025
£
685,826
4,607
17,798
67,102
111,739
26,000
913,072
960,713
960,713
(47,641)
-
(47,641)
940,943
893,302
General
Designated
£
£
642,592
-
2,924
-
10,844
-
-
-
109,779
-
1,065
-
767,204
-
718,184
3,943
718,184
3,943
49,020
(3,943)
(117,558)
2,102
(68,538)
(1,841)
1,002,193
9,129
933,655
7,288
Note 10
Note 9
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
136,109
-
-
136,109
251,565
251,565
(115,456)
115,456
-
-
-
Note 8
Total
2024
£
642,592
2,924
10,844
136,109
109,779
1,065
903,313
973,692
973,692
(70,379)
-
(70,379)
1,011,322
940,943

All results are from continuing activities.

No gains or losses arose in the year other than those shown above. The notes on pages 19 to 27 form a part of these financial statements.

16

ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE AND NOT HAVING A SHARE CAPITAL) BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2025 Note 2025 2025 2024 2024 Fixed Assets Tangible assets Investments 6,684 24 7.288 24 6,708 7,312 Current Assets Debtors Cash al bank and in hand 183,312 752,729 936,041 166,031 882,094 1,048.125 Creditors.. Amounts falling due within one year 149.4471 1114,4941 Net Current A5setS Net Assets 886,594 893,302 933,631 940,943 11 Funds Reslricled Unreslricled Designated funds General Funds 6,684 886,618 893,302 7.288 933,655 940,943 10 11 These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject lo (he small companies regime within Part 15 of the companies Act 2006 and with the Financial Reporting Standard 102 leffeclive January 20151 For the financial year in question the company was enlilled lo exemption under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating lo small companies. No members have required the company lo obtain an audit of ils accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect lo accounting records and for the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance wilh the provisions applicable lo companies subject lo the small companies regime. The notes on pages 19 to 27 form a parl of these financial stalemenls. These accounts were approved, and aulhorised for dislribulion, by the Board of Trustees on 22 beptember 2025 .and signed on ils behalf by.. Professor Ick Hopkinson Chair of the Board of TrLJslees Leanne Scott Treasurer Company number.. 00998971 Charity number= 262067 17

ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Net expenditure for the year
Adjustments for:
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets
Increase in debtors
Decrease in creditors
Interest received
Net cash used by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest received
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Net cash from investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash flows from operating activities
2025
£
(47,641)
3,357
(17,281)
(65,047)
(17,798)
(144,410)
17,798
(2,753)
15,045
(129,365)
882,094
752,729
752,729
752,729
2024
£
(70,379)
3,943
(65,727)
(15,900)
(10,844)
(158,907)
10,844
(2,102)
8,742
(150,165)
1,032,259
882,094
882,094
882,094

18

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). The charitable company is a public benefit entity for the purposes of FRS 102 and a registered charity established as a company limited by guarantee and therefore has also prepared its financial statements in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (The FRS 102 Charities SORP), the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. They are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Amounts presented are rounded to the nearest pound.

Going concern

During this financial year the trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charitable company to continue as a going concern. This year, this requires consideration of its principal funders and the wider economy. The trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of the approval of these financial statements. In particular, the trustees have considered the charitable company’s forecasts and projections and have taken account of pressures on income. After making enquiries, the trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charitable company therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.

Company status

The charity is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability of each member in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1.

Income

All income including government grant income is recognised when there is entitlement to the funds, the receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably. Where income is received in advance of meeting any performance-related conditions, there is not unconditional entitlement to the income. The recognition of this income therefore is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income until the performance-related conditions are met. Legacies are included in the accounts at the point where the amount receivable can be measured with sufficient reliability; this is normally the point of receipt by the charity.

19

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED)

Resources expended

Expenditure is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis, inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered. Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

• Charitable activities include expenditure associated with the development of policy, research, information and related activities and include both the direct costs and support costs relating to those activities.

• Support costs are the costs of central functions which relate to the whole organisation. These have been allocated to cost categories on the basis of staff time occupied in each area.

Pension contributions

The charitable company makes contributions to a defined contribution scheme for eligible members of staff the amount being determined in relation to the individual's current salary.

Operating leases

Rentals applicable to operating leases are charged to the SOFA over the period in which the cost is incurred.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Items are capitalised as fixed assets if their cost exceeds £500.

Depreciation is provided on expenditure at rates calculated to write off each asset over its estimated remaining useful life. The estimated remaining useful lives of the classes of assets are as follows:

Computer equipment and office equipment

3 years

Investments

Investments are held in tobacco related companies to give ASH the right to attend annual general meetings and receive relevant documents. The holdings are minimal and it is therefore considered appropriate to disclose them at historical cost rather than market value as required by SORP. There is no material difference between the cost and the market value.

Fund Accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Designated funds are also unrestricted funds but have been designated by the trustees for a particular purpose and includes the net book value of tangible fixed assets used by the charitable company in its operational activities. Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised for particular purposes. The aim and use of each restricted and designated fund is given in the notes.

19

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED)

Gifts in kind

Where services are provided to the Charity as a donation that would normally be purchased from suppliers, this contribution is included in the financial statements as an estimate based on the value of the contribution to the Charity.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

In the view of the trustees in applying the accounting policies adopted, no judgements were required that have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements nor do any estimates or assumptions made carry a significant risk of material adjustment in the next financial year.

Other financial instruments

i. Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash at bank and in hand and short term deposits with a maturity date of three months or less.

ii. Debtors and creditors

Debtors receivable and creditors payable within one year of the reporting date are carried at their transaction price. Debtors and creditors that are receivable or payable in more than one year and not subject to a market rate of interest are measured at the present value of the expected future receipts or payment discounted at a market rate of interest.

2
Grants
Unrestricted grants received
Supporting charities
Unrestricted Grants
Restricted grants arising from charitable activities
Supporting charities
NHS England
Restricted Grants
2025
£
685,826
67,102
-
67,102
2024
£
642,592
86,110
49,999
136,109

21

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED)

3 Charitable activities

The detailed charitable activities are more fully described in the trustees' report and relate to interlinked areas of policy, research and information.

£
Direct Project Costs
Policy research and Information
274,952
£
Policy research and Information
363,345
Direct
project
costs
Direct
project
costs
Direct staff
costs
(see Note 4)
£
483,705
Direct staff
costs
(see Note 4)
£
444,639
Support
costs
(see below)
£
202,056
Support
costs
(see below)
£
165,708
2025
£
960,713
2024
£
973,692

Support costs are those shared costs which relate to the operation of the organisation and include:

Staff costs (See Note 4)
Depreciation
Legal & Consultancy
Office running costs
Telephone and postage
Printing, stationery and design
Accountancy and payroll
Other costs
Governance costs
Fees payable to Moore Kingston Smith LLP
Board expenses
Total
2025
£
70,385
3,358
13,856
61,671
2,854
1,391
5,034
26,988
185,537
10,629
5,890
202,056
Total
2024
£
68,747
3,943
9,324
59,579
2,864
2,699
4,851
125
152,132
10,600
2,976
165,708

The basis of allocation of total overhead costs between direct and support costs is staff time.

Independent examiners fees
Independent examination fee
Accountancy and payroll
10,629
5,034
15,663
10,600
4,851
15,451

23

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED)

4
Staff Costs
Gross pay
Social security
Pension contributions
Other staff costs
Staff remuneration over £60,000:
£60,000 - £70,000
£70,000 - £80,000
£90,000 - £100,000
2025
£
474,591
52,479
20,631
547,701
6,389
554,090
2025
-
1
-
2024
£
440,383
48,842
19,066
508,291
5,095
513,386
2024
2
-
1

This includes salary but excludes social security costs and employer pension contributions

No trustees were reimbursed for expenses relating to subscriptions (2024: none). One trustee was reimbursed for expenses incurred of £170 (2024: one trustee was reimbursed for expenses incurred of £275 for travel to board meetings). No trustees received any remuneration in the year (2024: none).

Key management personnel comprise the trustees, Chief Executive, Business Manager, and the Deputy Chief Executive. Total employee benefits for these individuals in 2024-25 were £262,561 (2024: £248,857). This figure includes salaries, employer pension contributions and social security costs. There are no other pecuniary benefits for senior or other staff at the Charity.

During the year there was a new Chief Executive appointed on 1 October 2024. Total combined benefits for both of the Chief Exectives in 2024-25 were £110,590 (2024: £109,840), comprising salary £94,521 (2024: £97,623), employer pension contributions £4,281 (2024: £nil) and social security costs £11,788 (2024: £12,217).

The average number of staff employed, including part time staff, 2025
2024
allocated according to function was: Number
Number
Central charitable activities 12
11

23

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED)

5 Tangible Fixed Assets

5
Tangible Fixed Assets
Cost
At 1 April 2024
Tangibles b/f
Additions
Tangibles additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation
At 1 April 2024
Tangibles - accumulated depreciation b/f
Charge for the year
Tangibles - accumulated depreciation charge
Eliminated on disposal
At 31 March 2025
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
All fixed assets are held for use by the charitable company.
6
Debtors
2025
£
Other debtors
164,268
Prepayments
19,044
183,312
All debtors are financial instruments measured at present value.
7
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
2025
£
Trade creditors
30,346
VAT liability
2,001
Accruals
17,100
49,447
£
84,383
2,753
-
87,136
77,095
3,357
-
80,452
6,684
7,288
2024
£
148,626
17,405
166,031
2024
£
97,828
3,172
13,494
114,494
Fixtures,
fittings and
equipment

Included within the figure for accruals is £3,005 (2023: £1,779) owing to the NEST pension scheme.

All creditors, except accruals, are financial instruments measured at present value.

24

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED)

8 Restricted Funds

Restricted Funds
Cross Risk Factors Collaboration
(a)
Local Authority Tobacco Control
(b)
NHS England Supporting NHS Long-Term Plan
Tobacco Priorities
(c)
Cross Risk Factors Collaboration
(a)
Local Authority Tobacco Control
(b)
NHS England Supporting NHS Long-Term Plan
Tobacco Priorities
(c)
£
-
-
-
-
£
-
-
-
-
Funds brought
forward April 2024
Funds brought
forward April 2023
£
30,002
37,100
-
67,102
£
51,740
34,370
49,999
136,109
Incoming
resources
Incoming
resources
£
(63,437)
(44,319)
-
(107,756)
£
(59,755)
(37,568)
(154,242)
(251,565)
Resources
expended
Resources
expended
£
33,435
7,219
-
40,654
£
8,015
3,198
104,243
115,456
Transfers from
General funds
Transfers from
General funds
£
-
-
-
-
£
-
-
-
-
Funds carried forward
March 2025
Funds carried forward
March 2024

(a) This project is for research into Cross Risk Factors (smoking, alcohol and obesity) and is funded by Cancer Research UK. (b) This project provides an annual tobacco control report tracking Local Authority activity in tobacco control and consists of a grant from Cancer Research UK.

(c) This funding from NHS England is for activities to promote the NHS Long-Term Plan Tobacco Priorities. Funding was received in 2023-24 but was not agreed during 2024-25, so the project was wound-up.

25

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED)

9 Designated Funds Funds Incoming Resources Transfers Funds
brought resources expended from carried
forward General forward
April 2024 funds March
2025
£ £ £ £ £
Capital equipment 7,288 - (3,357) 2,753 6,684
7,288 - (3,357) 2,753 6,684
Capital equipment £
9,129
Funds
brought
forward
April 2023
£
-
Incoming
resources
£
(3,943)
Resources
expended
£
2,102
Transfers
from
General
funds
£
7,288
Funds
carried
forward
March
2024
9,129 - (3,943) 2,102 7,288
The capital equipment fund equates to the value of tangible fixed assets. These are not liquid
assets or easily realisable.
10 General Funds Funds Funds
Central funds £
933,655
brought
forward
April 2024
£
845,970
Incoming
resources
£
(849,600)
Resources
expended
£
(43,407)
Transfers
to other
funds
£
886,618
carried
forward
March
2025
933,655 845,970 (849,600) (43,407) 886,618
Central funds £
1,002,193
Funds
brought
forward
April 2023
£
767,204
Incoming
resources
£
(718,184)
Resources
expended
£
(117,558)
Transfers
to other
funds
£
933,655
Funds
carried
forward
March
2024
1,002,193 767,204 (718,184) (117,558) 933,655

26

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 (CONTINUED)

11 Analysis of Net Assets between Funds
Restricted funds:
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds
General funds
Restricted funds:
Unrestricted funds:
Designated funds
General funds
£
-
6,684
24
6,708
£
-
7,288
24
7,312
Fixed
assets
Fixed
assets
£
-
-
886,594
886,594
£
-
-
933,631
933,631
Net
current
assets
Net
current
assets
£
-
6,684
886,618
893,302
£
-
7,288
933,655
940,943
Total 2025
Total 2024

12 Operating Lease Commitments

The company had annual commitments under operating leases as follows:

Expiring:
- within 1 year
- in between two and five years
2025
Land and
Buildings
£
35,333
138,191
2024
Land and
Buildings
£
30,799
24,106

During the year £35,268 (2024: £33,900) has been recognised as an expense in the SOFA (part of office running costs) .

A new 5 year lease was signed during the year ended 31 March 2025.

13 Related Party Transactions

Jane Ellison is a Non-Executive Director of NHS England (from February 2024). ASH received funding of £nil from NHS England in the financial year to 31 March 2025 (2024: £49,999). During the year ASH held its Annual General Meeting at Cinema Museum for which a payment of £1,000 was made. A trustee of the venue is the spouse of the charity's former Chief Executive.

27