The number of people attempting to quit smoking using council commissioned Stop Smoking Services has grown by almost a quarter, according to NHSE data.
The latest figures show there were 238,166 attempts to quit smoking in April 2024 to March 2025, up by 23.8% on 2023/24. In addition, 127,541 people successfully quit, up by 18.4% on 104,125 in the year earlier.
Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, said: ‘The increase in uptake is a positive sign that more people are coming forward to access help, recognising the value of expert, local support in their journey to quit smoking.'
Over 10m people have attempted to quit smoking since the launch of the services 25 years ago, with over 5m people achieving quitting smoking for at least four weeks.
Smokers using local smoking cessation services are up to three times more likely to quit successfully compared to those who try to quit unaided.
The percentage of adults smoking fell from around 26% in 2000 to under 12% in 2023.
Cllr Fothergill added: ‘Council public health teams continue to work hard in their communities to help smokers quit and support the collective ambition for a smoke-free generation by 2030. There is no doubt that countless lives have been saved through this provision, as well saving on NHS and social care costs.'
Lee Peart is editor of Hemming Group’s Healthcare Management magazine.
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