Record-breaking numbers of people are accessing Leeds Stop Smoking services for support as health leaders step up efforts to encourage more people to quit.
The last three months of 2024 saw a significant rise in the number of people contacting the services for support, with a 73 per cent increase in referrals between October to December, compared to the same period the year before – the highest three-month total since records began in April 2023.
It comes after the recent Leeds City Council campaign for Leeds Stop Smoking services, which used posters, bus and bus stop adverts, radio messaging and extensive community outreach work to help urge people to quit.
The city has also been boosted by the announcement of continued funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
This funding will support the city’s ambition to reduce smoking prevalence by at least 0.5 per cent a year, equating to 2,500 fewer smokers annually, and – together with the recent increase in referrals – puts the city on track to meet ambitious national targets set by DHSC.
With National No Smoking Day on March 12th, Leeds Stop Smoking services have unveiled their latest string of measures designed to support more people to quit.
Upcoming measures include:
- The launch of two new specialist smoking services – for people with long-term conditions and or common mental health illnesses. In Leeds over 51,000 people with serious or common mental health conditions smoke, accounting for 43 per cent of the smoking population. These new targeted services, launched under the charity Inspire North – Community Links, will provide tailored support through referrals.
- This month, Leeds City Council has also launched a school competition, inviting pupils in years three to six to create ‘no smoking/no vaping’ signs for use around schools. Entries close on March 31 and a judging panel will select the winning designs.
- The authority will also be supporting the upcoming regional What Will You Miss? campaign, set to launch on March 25, which aims to raise awareness of the key life experiences that smokers could miss out on if they die early due to smoking-related illnesses. The campaign will encourage people to give quitting a try, highlighting the most effective methods and support available.
These projects all align with Leeds’s wider tobacco control strategy to reduce smoking and vaping prevalence, particularly among priority groups where smoking rates are higher, and come as the government’s Tabacco and Vapes Bill progresses through Parliament.
The Bill is set to introduce a generational ban on the sale of tobacco and further regulate vapes and vaping products, with a ban on sales of disposable vapes from June 2025.
Tobacco dependence is a chronic, relapsing condition that leads to premature death in at least half of people who smoke.
It remains the leading risk factor for early death and contributes significantly to the life expectancy gap in Leeds.
Each year in the city nearly 1,000 people die due to smoking-related conditions and around 5,500 people are admitted to hospital.
A total of approximately 111,000 of people in Leeds continue to smoke.
Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, said: “Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable ill-health and death. Up to two in three smokers will die prematurely unless they quit.
“The evidence is clear and the statistics are stark.
“Leeds City Council is committed to supporting residents to quit smoking for good and we hope these latest projects continue to spread these vital messages far and wide.
“The majority of smokers in Leeds who have successfully stopped have done so with expert support so it’s fantastic to see the recent referral figures showing more people than ever are taking that first step towards a smoke-free life.
“We hope that this surge in demand continues and our services are here to support all those ready to make that vital change towards a healthier future.”
To find out more or sign up, visit www.leedsstopsmoking.co.uk or call 0800 169 4219.
