Leeds expands support to help more smokers quit for good

Recent data taken from GP practices shows 16.6 per cent of the adult population in Leeds are regular smokers, equating to 111,774 people.

Of these, most are in the age range of 30-59 (62 per cent) and higher rates can be seen among men compared to women.

The data also shows fewer people are starting to smoke, with some of the lowest smoking rates seen in the 18-29 age group.

Leeds City Council has recently been awarded additional funding from the Department of Health and Social Care to expand its local stop smoking services and help more people to successfully quit the habit.

Most people who smoke have made numerous attempts to stop in the past and studies show people are three times more likely to succeed when accessing specialist support such as that offered through Leeds Stop Smoking Service, rather than attempting it alone.

To help raise awareness of the service and the many benefits of quitting, a city-wide campaign has been launched, with posters distributed across hospitals and GP surgeries, banners on buses and bus stop shelters, messaging across radio and social media as well as extensive community outreach work.

And it appears to be striking a chord as November alone saw a record 624 people sign up to the service – the highest monthly total since the contract began in April 2023 and almost double the 346 people who signed up last November.

A key reason cited by many when seeking help was the desire to save money, with smoking estimated to cost someone with a 20-a-day habit around £5,500 a year (based on £15.26 per packet) – enough to fund a family holiday or help towards rising household bills.

The health benefits of quitting are also clear. Tobacco is a uniquely harmful product, responsible for one in four of all cancer deaths and killing up to two-thirds of its long-term users – around 80,000 people a year in the UK.

Almost every minute, someone is admitted to a UK hospital because of smoking and up to 75,000 GP appointments can be attributed to the habit.

Research shows quitting halves the risk of a heart attack within a year and has also been shown to improve mental health through reduced anxiety, depression and stress.

Stark figures have also estimated the cost to Leeds as society, with the impact of smoking on productivity, social care, healthcare and fires equating to around £286m per year, according to Department for Health and Social Care and Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) data modelling.

The Leeds Stop Smoking Service provides free help to people who wish to stop, with individuals being assigned an expert health coach for ongoing support.

As well as offering one-to-one appointments – both digitally and face-to-face – the service also offers group sessions in community venues across the city for peer support.

The government funding is part of a national ambition to create a ‘smokefree generation’ by 2030. MPs recently backed plans to make it illegal for anyone currently aged 15 or younger to ever buy cigarettes in the UK in future.

The proposals form part of the new Tobacco and Vapes bill currently going through Parliament and include extending the smoking ban to any public place or vehicle.

Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive member for equality, health and wellbeing, said: “Stopping smoking is the single most effective step a person can take to improve their health, wealth and wellbeing.

“Leeds City Council is committed to supporting residents to quit smoking for good and figures show our estimated smoking rates have halved since the start of the millennium, from 33 per cent to the 16.6 per cent seen now.

“I would urge people to contact the service for help – whether directly or through your GP. Even if you have tried to quit before, we will keep supporting you.”

Victoria Eaton, Leeds City Council’s director of public health, said: “Stopping smoking brings big rewards in all aspects of your life and this is true of quitting any age.

“Undoubtedly, the earlier a person stops, the greater the gain and research shows people who stop before the age of 35 can revert their life expectancy close to that of a non-smoker.

“Our services are ready to support you on your journey to being smoke-free. Please take that step today towards a healthier, happier future for you, and your family.”

Leeds Stop Smoking Service in the community is delivered by Reed Wellbeing on behalf of Leeds City Council.

Mental health charity Community Links will also soon be providing support for people living with long term conditions to stop smoking.

These community services are in addition to wider support available across the city, alongside other NHS England-funded support available in hospitals and pharmacies.

To find out more or sign up to the service, visit www.leedsstopsmoking.co.uk or call 0800 169 4219.

ENDS

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Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007