People across Hartlepool are being encouraged to make this Stoptober the year they stop smoking.
People across Hartlepool are being encouraged to make this Stoptober the year they stop smoking, as a new campaign highlights that there are now more effective ways to quit in the region than ever before.
Research shows confidence in quitting can be low – and nearly half of smokers rely on willpower alone. But every quit attempt can bring someone a step closer to stopping for good, and there is now a wider range of support and effective quit aids available to improve the chances of success.
There is already a strong appetite to quit smoking in the North East. Around 46% of the region’s smokers – an estimated 169,000 people – tried to quit in 2025, the highest rate in the country according to UCL’s Smoking Toolkit Study of people aged 16 and over.
This Stoptober, Fresh is encouraging even more people to make a quit attempt and, importantly, to take advantage of the free support available.
Quitting smoking brings immediate benefits – from feeling calmer and saving money, to reducing health risks as the weeks and months pass. Someone who quits can also save more than £2,000 a year to spend on other things. If you stop smoking for 28 days this Stoptober, you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
If you’re quitting for Stoptober, there are a range of free and effective options which boost your chances of success:
- Local stop smoking services offer free, personalised support from trained advisors who understand the challenges of quitting. They help develop a quit plan and support with the best quitting aids to ease the cravings – boosting your chance of success.
- Digital support on your phone: the free Smoke Free app is a digital stop smoking service that gives flexible support for people with busy lives. You can build your own tailored quit plan, track progress, see how much money you are saving, and receive support and motivation throughout the quit journey.
- New and better quitting aids and stop smoking medications than ever before - nicotine replacement therapy, including patches, gum and lozenges, as well as stop smoking medications such as Varenicline and Cytisinicline to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Some are available for free through local stop smoking services.
- Switching completely to vaping is still the most popular quitting aid and less harmful than smoking. Vaping helps people manage nicotine cravings without inhaling the harmful smoke produced by cigarettes. Local stop smoking services can provide advice and support, and even get you started with free vape starter kits.
Councillor Christine Wiley, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Chair of the Adult Services and Public Health Committee said: "Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, but I know it isn’t always easy, I did it myself. The important message this Stoptober is that you don’t have to do it alone, and you don’t have to rely on willpower alone, as I did.
“Here in Hartlepool, there is free, practical and personalised support available to help you find an approach that works for you. Whether this is your first attempt to quit or you’ve tried before, please don’t be discouraged. Every attempt is a step towards becoming smoke-free.
“I’d encourage anyone thinking about stopping smoking this Stoptober to take that first step and find out what support is available. It could be one of the best decisions you make for your health, your wellbeing and your pocket."
Ailsa Rutter OBE, Director of Fresh and Balance, said: “This September is a massive chance for thousands of people to turn their backs on smoking. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve tried before – it is never too late to stop and gain benefits to your health and finances.
“Getting free and effective support helps you take the stress and cravings out of quitting and helps your quit go a lot further. Getting support isn’t cheating, it’s about giving yourself the best chance to keep you from smoking, week by week.”
Find your way to quit and find local support at www.FreshQuit.co.uk