Stoptober 2025: You don’t have to go it alone. We’re here to help
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
In partnership with Yorkshire Smokefree Wakefield, we want to encourage smokers across the district to take the first step towards a healthier, smoke-free future.
Stoptober, the national stop smoking campaign, launches on 1st October 2025. It has a simple but powerful message; you don’t have to go it alone.
“Stoptober is a fantastic opportunity to take that first step. We know quitting is tough, but with the right support, people are far more likely to succeed. And there are more options than ever before to help people succeed.
“We want to help residents live longer, healthier lives, and Yorkshire Smokefree Wakefield are here to offer free, expert help to anyone ready to quit.”
Cllr Michelle Collins
Cabinet Member for Adults and Health
Today, 1 in 8 adults in the district still smoke, around 37,000 people. At 12.9%, we’re narrowing the gap compared to the national average of 11.6%. And more residents than ever are accessing the free expert advice from Yorkshire Smokefree Wakefield. Some may be eligible for personal financial incentive vouchers to support their quit journey. And support with nicotine replacement therapy, vape starter kits through the National Swap to Stop scheme, and access to the NHS Quit Smoking app and Personal Quit Plan.
The Yorkshire Smokefree Bus is touring Wakefield throughout Stoptober, offering mobile support in local communities. Staffed by trained advisors, the bus provides drop-in sessions, carbon monoxide testing, and quitting advice.
David, aged 61 from Horbury, quit smoking after years of struggle. He said; “I’d tried quitting before but always relapsed. The breathlessness was getting worse, and even lying down at night felt like I was being strangled. With support from Yorkshire Smokefree at the Sunbeam Family Hub clinic and nicotine patches, something clicked. I stopped thinking about cigarettes all the time. Now, I can dig my allotment without stopping every five minutes. The frightening night-time breathlessness is gone. My advice? Consistency and honesty, keep showing up and be honest with yourself and your advisor.”
Quitting smoking is one of the best things your can do for your health. The benefits begin almost immediately, and if you quit for 28 days, you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
Together, we can put an end to smoking. Contact Yorkshire Smokefree Wakefield by calling: 0800 612 0011 (free from landlines) or 0330 660 1166 (free from most mobiles). You can visit: wakefield.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk or get more information at nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking
Find out where the bus will be next: wakefield.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk/pages/yorkshire-smoke-free-bus