About GASP

GASP is a one stop shop for stop smoking and smoking education resources and tobacco control consultancy.   GASP Smokefree Solutions Ltd. supplies mail order tobacco prevention products to health, workplace, community and education organisations in UK and worldwide.  GASP Consultancy Ltd. offers tobacco control advice and project support work for governmental and non-governmental agencies.

2010
After 30 years building GASP up from a pressure group to the successful international business it is today GASP director Cecilia Farren hands control of the business over to new director Tim Farnfield. Cecilia stays on as a consultant to help guide Tim as he strives to take the GASP brand further.
2009
GASP director attends the World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Mumbai and visits partner organisations in the USA with funding from the UK Trade and investment scheme. 
GASP now offers over 500 items in new catalogue. 
GASP launches new look website. 
2008
GASP catalogue highlights smoking and the lungs by creating models: ‘Sponge Lung and Tar’, ‘Smokefree and Smoker’s Lungs’  models,  and a Fact File called Love Your Lungs.
GASP produces 2 new DVDs, Tips to Help you Quit and Ten Top Reasons to Stay Smokefree. 
2007
A great year for GASP and for public health.  Following Ireland’s and then Scotland’s lead, the rest of the UK implemented smokefree laws in all enclosed workplaces and public places. 
GASP Director awarded membership of the Faculty of Public Health for tobacco control advocacy. 
APRIL Age Progression software sales took off after GASP became UK distributors.   
2006
New resources include 'Cannabis Smoking and Health’, ‘What’s your poison?' and a stop smoking guide for people with mental health problems. 
GASP Consultancy does smokefree publicity campaigns for Smokefree Action / Cancer Research UK.
GASP Director is plenary speaker at the World Conference on Tobacco or Health in Washington.
2005
GASP celebrates 25th anniversary.  GASP supplies resources all over the world.
GASP Consultancy joins campaigning coalition for smoke free legislation.
2004
GASP's work over a quarter of a century is the cover picture and essay for the BMJ’s  Tobacco Control Journal.
GASP moves to a bigger warehouse.  Website orders increase
GASP gets back to its origins; campaigning for smokefree workplaces, public places, homes and cars. 
2003
GASP publishes Stop Smoking guide for Prisoners and increases 'tailor made' resources for NHS stop smoking services.
GASP Consultancy researches stop smoking homeless and mental health case studies for the Health Development Agency
2002
GASP presents Big Cig - the giant walking cigarette costume. Over 300 items in catalogue. 4 leaflets translated into 5 South Asian languages. Stop Before Your Op leaflet published to warn pre-surgery patients why and how to stop smoking
2001
GASP moves to a large warehouse on the infamous date - 11 September 2001.
GASP Consultancy runs Stop Smoking Roadshows for Aardman Animations (Wallace and Grommit didn’t need to attend).  Other consultancy work for SmokeFree London and Wales Quit & Win.
2000
GASP catalogue contains over 100 items.
GASP Director presents a paper at World Conference on Tobacco and Health in Chicago.
1999
GASP launches its first website.
GASP protests about Imperial Tobacco's donation to a millennium children's charity
1998
GASP begins to sell Smokerlyzers and other non-GASP products.
1997
GASP's first glossy catalogue.
Consultancy includes International Quit & Win with 50 participating countries.
1996
GASP catalogue has 50 items.  Inflatable cigarettes become best selling props.
Consultancy with Khush Dil project in Birmingham, and SmokeFree Lincs, South Tyneside and Smokefree London.
Consultancy includes a national and local Quit & Win contest.
1995
GASP registers as a mail order business and consultancy. GASP has 6 leaflets, 12 posters and a few promotional items.  
Consultancy work with South Tyneside.
1994
GASP runs 'Write Off Tobacco Advertising' letter writing contest for schools and Ad watch campaign.
1993
GASP invites politicians, educators, health professionals and parents to sign a giant Children's Charter Against Tobacco.  
GASP campaign with MPs and school children highlights 48% of children live with smokers.
1992
GASP publicises Smoking Epidemic.
GASP is joined by an irate Santa Claus to protest outside Imperial Tobacco's factory decorated with a giant illuminated smoking Santa Claus with a sack of cigars.
1991
European Ad ban campaign. Photos of tobacco ads on Bristol streets during school holidays made into  giant birthday card delivered to local MP and Health Secretary, William Waldegrave.  Message reads - 'Happy Birthday to you, Ad Free Bristol by '92'
1990
GASP and ASH presents Health Secretary and Bristol MP Wm. Waldegrave with a giant Valentine with a verse asking for action on tobacco control.  He thanked us warmly for the card.   
1989
GASP and ASH public attitude to smoking survey in Bristol reveals majority support making public places and workplaces smoke-free.
1988
GASP button badge 'You Smoke I Choke' is a subject for Jack Dee's stand up comedy routine.
GASP enters Benson and Hedges illustrators' award with an ironic version of the B&H's ads.
1987
GASP sets up women only Quit & Get Fit courses. Over 120 women attend.  Evaluation reveals 30% 12 month quit rates.
1986
GASP helps Esther Rantzen's 'That's Life' campaign to stop sales of cigarettes to children.
GASP survey of tobacconists shows 48% of are still selling cigarettes to children.
GASP pickets a children's event with a Marlboro racing car and free Marlboro Frisbees. Frisbee is presented in the House of Commons to show how tobacco industry marketing targets kids.
1985
Demonstrations against tobacco sponsored opera and theatre. GASP publishes leaflet - 'Tobacco Damaging the world and its People'. 
Illegal sales campaign. Cigarettes sold to 11 year olds in 92 out of 100 tobacconists.
The Big Kill report. GASP supporters lay a wreath outside the Imperial Tobacco HQ.
1984
GASP demonstrates at tobacco sponsored events; John Player concerts, Rothmans yacht race, Embassy tennis, Marlboro holidays etc. Chairman of Health Authority denies support for GASP saying “Imperial Tobacco is important to Bristol's economy".   GASP members form AGHAST (Action Group to Halt Advertising and Sponsorship by Tobacco).  GASP makes headlines nationally and internationally with the entry for John Player Portrait Award at National Gallery with a portrait of 34-year-old father of 5 dying of lung cancer.
1983
GASP produces a leaflet 'Passive smoking: the facts' and a poster 'You smoke I choke'.
GASP's Smoke-Out campaign on Radio West. 19% quit rate at 12 months.
1982
Health Service Journal carries article about GASP.
Smokefree cinemas and post offices project.
GASP sabotages tobacco industry campaign 'Say NO to the Tax man'. Tobacco Industry journal brands GASP as 'Grab Any Suggestible Passer-by'.
1981
GASP Restaurant project wins first prize in Domestos Health Education Award.
GASP Guide to Smoke-Free Bristol. GASPing Gourmet Gas Mask Award to Harvey's restaurant for 'fine wines, fresh food and foul air' for handing out free cigars.
January 1980
GASP launches as Bristol-based, non-smokers' rights pressure group with 12 founding members.  (The acronym GASP used to stand for Group Against Smoking in Public.)