So long, farewell, Deborah Arnott is (finally!) leaving the building

Tomorrow, for the first time in 21 years, Action on Smoking and Health will have a new chief executive.

Deborah Arnott, a former television producer who was appointed in 2003 to replace Clive Bates, is retiring today and stepping into her shoes - from October 1 - is her erstwhile deputy, Hazel Cheeseman.

More on Hazel in a minute. But, first, a final (?) word about her predecessor whose retirement was announced in February, almost nine months ago.

I’ve probably written enough already – see Deborah Arnott - a tribute (of sorts) – but I can’t let this moment pass without one last comment.

For the record, I have never disliked Deborah personally. Professionally, we’ve had our differences, to put it mildly, but I respected her as a campaigner.

Over the years we’ve enjoyed some spectacular arguments, live on air, but she could be just as bolshy off air. It was no act.

With other opponents I might indulge in a few pleasantries, even crack a joke, but with Deborah small talk was strictly off the table.

In recent years - and especially since Covid - I’ve actually seen very little of her in person. In fact, I can’t remember the last time we shared a studio or a green room. Instead, all our jousts have been via Zoom or FaceTime, which isn’t the same.

When Clive Bates moved on in 2003 after five years as director of ASH, we sent flowers to his office in London.

I was tempted to do the same for Deborah but I wasn’t sure she would get them because whenever I’ve seen her in interviews since Covid she seems to be working from what I assume is her home.

Nevertheless, I am determined to present her with a Forest award for services to the nanny state. It’s the very least she deserves.

As it happens, at last year’s Forest Summer Lunch & Awards, I invited Chris Snowdon to choose between three nominees - Deborah, George Osborne, and Labour's Wes Streeting - and he chose Osborne, but Deborah’s turn will come.

In the meantime I genuinely wish her a happy retirement because we all deserve that – well, most of us. I just hope she doesn’t come back and haunt us by accepting a seat in the House of Lords, should it be offered.

Talking of which, and I know I’ve made a joke of it (see Still no honours for titans of tobacco control), but I’m genuinely baffled why Deborah has been overlooked for the sort of recognition that others in her field have received.

As for Hazel Cheeseman, we obviously know her quite well from her media appearances and she’s definitely less prickly than her predecessor or her counterpart in Scotland who frequently brings to mind PG Wodehouse’s famous comment:

“It is never difficult to distinguish between a Scotsman with a grievance and a ray of sunshine."

Hazel has a sunnier disposition but being CEO of ASH can do strange things to a person, so the jury must remain out.

She begins her reign with the Labour Government planning to revive Rishi Sunak’s generational tobacco ban and extend the smoking ban to outdoor areas including pub gardens, so in that respect she’s pushing on an open door.

Nevertheless she has big shoes to fill so it will be interesting to see how ASH moves forward and whether there will be any difference in tone and strategy once her predecessor has left the building.

I’m guessing not, because Hazel has been Deborah Arnott’s deputy for some time so the transition should be fairly smooth, but you never know what a new CEO’s ambitions might be.

A new organisation, Action on Public Health, perhaps? Or merely global domination. Watch this space.

Below: On TalkTV with Deborah and Vanessa Feltz last year

Comments

[Pat Nurse]

I hope Deborah enjoys her retirement, probably paid for by smokers via tax extortion.