Pressure group case studies

• One of the case studies is ASH (Action on Smoking and Health)
• What is the objective of ASH?

  Spreading of knowledge about the harmful effects of tobacco use and pressing governments to adopt policies and laws to reduce tobacco use.
• What methods do ASH use?

  Conducts research and publicises existing research into the effects of tobacco. It shares this with governments and the public.
• Ash has sponsored research into the effects of passive smoking and on the effects of e-cigarettes.
• ASH is largely an insider group, concentrating on lobbying lawmakers and governments, mainly using scientific data to underpin its case.
• What is an example of ASH’s success?

  Restrictions on advertising tobacco products and tobacco sponsorship
• What are the objective of the RMT union?

  To promote better pay and conditions for its members, including shorter hours and safer working environments
• The RMT negotiates contracts with major transport companies, including Transport for London, negotiating on behalf of its members for better terms and safety.
• It lobbies governments for better legislative protections and the safety of its workers. It also organises and conducts strikes to pressure employers to meet its demands, which can be effective due to the dominance of the RMT in key sectors, such as Tube drivers in London.
• What party has the RMT been mostly affiliated with?


  The Labour Party
• In 2016 the RMT secured a £500 consolidation payment to

  all operational staff following the introduction of the Night Tube service.
• RMT helped secure bonus payments for workers during the 2012 olympics
• Why has the RMT been successful?

  It is the main union representing workers on the London Underground, meaning it represents workers on a strategically important transport network. Strikes can have a direct

  impact on the economy as well as possibly embarrassing the government of the day.