York is saying ‘Yes to Quit’ with a new smoking campaign. The Yes to Quit campaign has launched across TV, radio, transport links and social media this week, throughout Yorkshire and the Humber.
It asks audiences ‘what will you miss?’ more than smoking, such as weddings, births or quality time with others - two in three smokers will miss these by dying too soon unless they quit.
The campaign coincides with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill’s progression through Parliament, which aims to create a smoke-free generation by restricting the sale of tobacco products and regulating vaping.
Across, York, 8.1% of adults smoke cigarettes, approximately 14,000 people. Smoking is still the most preventable cause of death. In York the cost to the NHS is £4.41m per year with an additional £2.64m to social care per year.
The Yes to Quit website, yestoquit.co.uk, shares information about ways to quit and links to local stop smoking services including City of York Council’s Health Trainer team. York residents can get in touch for free support at york.gov.uk/HealthTrainers or phone 01904 553377.
Peter Roderick, Director of Public Health at City of York Council, said:
“By working collaboratively, we’ve been able to launch a mass media, population level campaign right across Yorkshire and the Humber which aims to reach more people and help them to find the services right for them when quitting smoking.
“Most people who smoke get addicted as children and desperately want to stop. This new campaign emphasises the harms of tobacco and provides information and support to help people say yes to quitting.”
Councillor Lucy Steels-Walshaw, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said:
“Our Health Trainer team have a great track record of success in supporting residents to stop smoking. Their work is part of our core commitment to help improve the health and wellbeing of people who live and work in York.
I’m pleased to support this regional campaign to highlight both the risks of smoking and the local support available.”
Scott Crosby, Associate Director for the Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control said;
“This campaign is a stark reminder that smoking kills two in three long-term smokers – claiming over 7,500 lives each year in Yorkshire and Humber alone. That’s why we are uniting across the region to help people quit and protect future generations from ever starting.
“The Third Reading of the historic Tobacco and Vapes Bill is a once-in-a-generation chance to protect people from this uniquely lethal product and make it easier for smokers to quit for good. Most people who smoke want to stop, and with the right support – whether stop smoking services, quitting aids, or switching completely to vaping – it’s much easier. Thousands successfully quit every year and live healthier, longer lives.
“If you’ve tried before, don’t stop trying. Your next attempt could be the one that works.”
Mum of two Alex, from York, who quit with York Health Trainers, said:
“I hit 30 and thought, I’m not sure I want to do this for another 10 years. Stopping smoking was relatively easy compared to what I thought it was going to be.
"The service was bang on, from the way the sessions were delivered, to how regular they were, to the way you felt supported.”
Get support from York Health Trainers:
Residents can self-refer for the service at www.york.gov.uk/HealthTrainers or phone 01904 553377.
Alternatively, chat to one of the team at our weekly drop-ins:
- York Explore: Mondays 9.30am-12pm
- Acomb Explore Library Café: Thursdays 9.30am-12.30pm
- Tang Hall Explore: Thursdays 9.30am-12pm
Our Swap2Stop offer provides York residents aged over 18 with either:
- a free, four-week vape starter kit that will be posted out to them;
- a 10-week programme of free one-to-one support with free vapes or nicotine replacement products;
- or free weekly online group support with free vape starter kit.