As the New Year approaches, Wiltshire Council is taking a proactive step to encourage the county's 42,000 smokers to kick the habit with the launch of its Quit Smoking Campaign for 2025.
The initiative aims to provide support to those wanting to make a quit attempt, showing that help is available at no cost.
The campaign offers a free 12-week program of stop smoking support, featuring friendly and specialist Health Coaches. Participants will also gain free access to the innovative Smoke Free app, designed to assist individuals in managing cravings, tracking health improvements, and even connecting with stop smoking experts 24/7. Research indicates that personalized support from a dedicated stop smoking service can increase the likelihood of quitting by three times compared to relying solely on willpower. The 12-week program is tailored to meet the unique needs of each participant, with options for support delivered in person, online, or via phone. Quitting smoking not only enhances overall health but also significantly impacts personal finances. The average smoker spends approximately £2,500 annually on cigarettes, a staggering amount that could be saved by quitting. Hannah Gulliver, a former smoker from Trowbridge, shared her success story after quitting in 2020. “The support I received from the service was invaluable,” she said. “It’s not just about quitting; it’s about changing your entire routine and lifestyle. I never realized how much my life revolved around smoking until I decided to quit.” Kate Blackburn, Director of Public Health for Wiltshire, emphasized the dire consequences of smoking, stating, “In Wiltshire, nine people die every week due to smoking-related illnesses, and someone is admitted to the hospital every minute. The economic impact is just as alarming, with smoking costing the county £187 million in lost productivity annually.” The council is determined to make access to stop smoking support as easy as possible, encouraging anyone who smokes to explore the available resources. “Even if someone has tried to quit before, they may not have found the right tools or support that works for them,” stated Blackburn. Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Public Health, added that Wiltshire’s Stop Smoking Services are available at GP surgeries and through Health Coaches across the county. “Using stop smoking services can more than triple a person’s chance of successfully quitting compared to going it alone,” he noted. “Our program is tailored and non-judgmental, recognizing that smoking is an addiction rather than a choice.” Support is free for all participants, with medications available at only the cost of a prescription charge, which is waived for those who are exempt. For more information about Wiltshire Council's stop smoking service, residents can visit [www.wiltshire.gov.uk/smokefree](http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/smokefree), call 0300 003 4566 (select option 1), or email