ASH Scotland Chief Executive Wins UK Special Recognition Award

Posted 18/12/25

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland (Action on Smoking and Health Scotland), has received the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) Special Recognition Award at their annual Hero Awards, held this year in the House of Lords.

The Special Recognition Award acknowledges an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to supporting Trading Standards or advancing consumer protection. It is reserved for work that has strengthened enforcement, shaped national understanding of key issues or provided sustained support to the profession.

Sheila Duffy has been a leading figure in tobacco control in Scotland for more than 30 years and has worked closely with Trading Standards throughout that time. Under her leadership, ASH Scotland has been at the forefront of campaigning for stronger legislation, effective public health policy and measures to protect young people from the harms associated with tobacco and vaping. Her work has included expert information services, public advocacy, campaigning and parliamentary engagement, all aimed at improving health and reducing harm.

She has been a consistent ally of Trading Standards, supporting officers in their enforcement work on tobacco and vaping and publicly recognising their role in removing non-compliant disposable vapes and preventing underage sales. Her commentary and evidence have strengthened the policy debate, helped close loopholes and supported efforts to secure adequate funding for prevention work. She has also provided influential submissions to parliamentary committees considering the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, lending weight to Trading Standards findings and priorities.

Her partnership work with Trading Standards has included contributions to national coordination, multi-agency projects and professional training. A presentation she delivered to the CTSI Scottish Branch at their Spring Training Event in 2023 was particularly well received by officers and reflected her long-standing commitment to collaboration.

 

Chartered Trading Standards Institute Chief Executive John Herriman said:

“Sheila has been a constant force in tobacco control in Scotland, combining clear evidence, public advocacy and close cooperation with Trading Standards. Her leadership at ASH Scotland has helped shape national policy, supported enforcement on tobacco and vapes and strengthened public understanding of the risks these products pose, particularly to young people. She has backed officers through expert information services, campaigning, parliamentary engagement and direct contributions to national coordination. Her support has given weight to efforts to secure adequate funding for prevention and has helped ensure that Trading Standards is recognised for its role in protecting communities. This award reflects the scale of her contribution over three decades and her long standing commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of people across Scotland”

ASH Scotland’s Chief Executive, Sheila Duffy, said:

“I am delighted and honoured to be recognised by the CTSI, a sector that works tirelessly to protect consumers and communities. With new legislation on tobacco and commercialised nicotine products currently passing through the UK Parliament, robust enforcement of the law is needed more than ever. All four governments across the UK must ensure this vital work is resourced as an investment in the health of future generations.”

 

Chair CTSI Scottish Branch, Tony McAuley, said:

“The impact of Sheila’s work on the Trading Standards landscape in Scotland cannot be understated.  She has publicly endorsed and urged robust enforcement by Trading Standards, helping to frame the policy narrative around youth vaping and single‑use disposables and creating momentum for regulatory change. As a firm supporter of Trading Standards, Sheila has championed test-purchase work and enforcement activity aimed at preventing sales of tobacco and nicotine vaping products to under‑18s, and contributed expert evidence and authoritative commentary that has bolstered Trading Standards’ position in multiagency projects and national coordination across Scottish local authorities.

The CTSI Scottish Branch were delighted to nominate Sheila for this award in recognition of her unwavering commitment to tobacco regulation and her efforts to protect public health across Scotland, as well as her consistent support for Trading Standards in our mission to safeguard consumers from harmful and illegal tobacco and vaping products.”

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