People across Redcar and Cleveland 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.
Andy Pearson, from Lazenby in Redcar and Cleveland, quit smoking after 30 years. He was smoking up to 30 cigars a day and spending nearly £800 a month. He quit with help from South Tees Stop Smoking Service and is now urging others to quit this Stoptober.
He said: "There has never been a better time to quit smoking. Across South Tees, a range of free, evidence-based support is available to help people stop smoking successfully. We know people are much more likely to quit with the right support, so I would encourage anyone thinking about stopping smoking to get in touch with local services and explore the help that's available.
“Every quit attempt is a step towards better health, and there are now more options than ever to support people on their quit journey."
Councillor Ursula Earl, Cabinet Member for Health, Welfare and Housing Support at Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "Stoptober is a great opportunity for anyone who smokes to take the first step towards a healthier future. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and the benefits begin almost immediately, from improving your wellbeing to reducing your risk of serious illnesses.
"There is more support available than ever before. Different approaches work for different people, and it’s encouraging to see so many different services allowing people to explore the options available and find the support that works best for them."
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