Stop Smoking Services across the region see increased uptake
Hull dad-of-four Joe quit smoking in January after starting at the age of 11(Image: supplied image)
The number of people across Humber and North Yorkshire accessing their local Stop Smoking Service has reached its highest level in six years, according to new figures. Data from NHS England shows that 6,272 people in Humber and North Yorkshire set a quit date with the support of local Stop Smoking Services during 2025/26 – an 18 per cent increase on the previous year and more than 900 additional people seeking support to quit smoking.
Among them is Joe, from Hull, who started smoking when he was just 11 years old. Now 38, and a father of four, he has been smokefree since January thanks to his local stop smoking service.
“Already I feel like a different person,” he said. “I can breathe so much easier and I’ve got more energy.
“I’ve got a toddler who wants to run around all the time, and now I can keep up. Even pushing the pram to nursery used to leave me breathless – now it’s no problem.
“For years I genuinely believed I’d never be able to quit. Now that I have, it’s given me confidence in other parts of my life too.
“I’ve set up a men’s mental health group to support other people, something I’d wanted to do for a long time but never had the confidence to start. I’ve also applied to study at university.
“I’ve been talking about it a lot with friends and family, and a few of them have decided to quit as well. That feels really good.
“If my experience can help someone else take that step, then it’s worth sharing. There’s support out there that can genuinely change your life.
“If you’re thinking about quitting, my advice is simple – give it a try. You might surprise yourself.”
The new data shows that of those who set a quit date, 3,345 successfully quit, representing a success rate of 53 per cent. The figures highlight the growing demand for free, expert stop smoking support across the region and the positive impact local services are having in helping more people quit for good.
Martyn Willmore, head of preventable risk factors within the Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control, said: “This is the highest number of people using local Stop Smoking Services across our area in six years, which is incredibly encouraging. It shows that more people are choosing to access the free support available to help them quit smoking and improve their health.
“Research shows that smokers are three times more likely to quit successfully with expert support and these services offer just that. Stop smoking services have adapted to fit around modern life and can offer face to face or telephone appointments, as well as free access to quit smoking aids like vapes and patches.
“These figures also reflect the effectiveness of additional investment into these life-saving services by the Government over the last few years. For every person who quits smoking, the benefits extend far beyond the individual.
“Fewer people becoming ill from smoking means less pressure on the NHS, fewer cases of cancer and other smoking-related diseases, and more people able to live healthier, more productive lives. Helping people quit is not only one of the most effective ways to improve public health – it also delivers long-term benefits for our economy and public services.”
The rise in people using Stop Smoking Services is also reflected nationally, where there has been a 12 per cent increase in the number of people setting a quit date. Across Yorkshire and Humber as whole, there has been a 4 per cent increase this year compared to 2024/25.
Smoking remains the single biggest preventable killer, responsible for an estimated 64,000 deaths a year across England. In Humber and North Yorkshire alone, where there remain around 176,000 adult smokers, smoking is estimated to cost the region £1.39bn a year, including £62.7m in healthcare costs and £477m in social care costs.
For help to quit today, you can get in touch with your local Stop Smoking Service at yestoquit.co.uk
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