1/2 Every cigarette takes around 20 minutes off a life - but quitting can give that time back. The new phase of our #SmokingSurvivors campaign starts today to highlight the benefits of stopping smoking: improved health, reduced stress, financial savings, and more time with the people who matter.

1/2 Smoking costs the NE nearly £2bn a year - damaging people’s health, straining the NHS, and holding back our economy. Meanwhile, tobacco companies are making close to £1bn in profit 🔽

#SmokingSurvivors returns tomorrow across multiple media channels in the NE. Real local stories showing the harm from smoking – and the benefits of stopping. Every cigarette takes around 20 minutes off life, but quitting gives life back. Find out more at freshquit.co.uk #SmokeFreeFuture

1/2 Six in ten people who smoke in the NE say their life would be better without smoking – yet many remain stuck in a cycle that harms both physical and mental health.

For two decades, we’ve met countless people who smoke – stories of regret, stories that shock, and stories of hope. For most the message is clear: “I just don’t want my own children to smoke.” Big Tobacco's eye has always been on the next generation of future customers. Time for a #SmokefreeFuture.

The North East has come far in reducing smoking through partnership efforts, but there’s still more to do. There is more support to quit in our region than ever before – from stop smoking services to new quit aids and online tools. Everything is at FreshQuit.co.uk

1/2 Tobacco companies sold a lie: that filters made smoking ‘safer’. They don’t. Filters don’t protect smokers from cancer-causing chemicals, and cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ6U...

Smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable death in the NE. It drives health inequalities and puts pressure on our health services. Local support and strong national policy are essential if we want to reduce the harm caused. Find out how our partners are backing action 👇 shorturl.at/Urrva

For decades, tobacco companies denied the link between smoking and cancer - all while engineering addiction, costing lives, devastating families, and burdening the NHS for profit. Our children deserve a healthy and fair start in life and a #SmokefreeFuture.

Health and social care staff across the North East and North Cumbria can now access FREE digital stop smoking support. 24/7 help plus free NRT and vapes - ideal for shift workers in hospitals. Looking after others starts with looking after yourself.

We support the Tobacco & Vapes Bill - a vital step to protect children from deadly tobacco. 7/10 adults in the NE back phasing out sales for those born after 2009. A #SmokeFreeFuture is needed, wanted, and achievable. Listen to these NE people 🔽

We welcome the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the ambition it represents. To deliver a #SmokeFreeFuture, it must be supported by a national tobacco control plan with a clear, detailed roadmap. This APPG report outlines what further action is needed. http://bit.ly/4jiPsIv

Smoking is at a record low in the NE, with 10.2% of adults smoking - a decline of nearly 65% since 2005. Yet it remains our leading cause of premature disease, death, and health inequalities.

UK tobacco sales have fallen consistently since 2015, according to HMRC figures. As a country, we’re smoking less, with more people quitting or cutting down and therefore less tobacco is being sold. Vaping is also a factor. A 3min must-read from @ashorguk.bsky.social ash.org.uk/media-centre...

NE leaders back a #SmokeFreeGeneration as 7 in 10 adults support raising the age of sale of lethal tobacco products. The Tobacco & Vapes Bill returns to the Commons - Royal Assent will be a big step in protecting future generations. #SmokeFreeFuture

Tobacco companies sold people a lie that filters made smoking safer. But filters don’t protect smokers from cancer-causing chemicals, and cigarette butts are the world’s no.1 littered item.

Caring for others starts with caring for yourself. Health & social care staff across NENC can now access FREE digital stop smoking support via the NENC Smokefree NHS Programme.

Health days like No Smoking Day earlier this month play a role in keeping tobacco harm on the agenda. They provide a moment to reflect on how smoking continues to drive illness, inequalities and pressure on services, giving a platform to former smokers to share experiences. youtu.be/SJ-BOgaDutw

1/2 Smoking continues to drive major health pressures across the NE, with thousands living with avoidable disease caused by tobacco addiction. Strong, well-resourced stop smoking support and comprehensive national policy remain essential to reduce these harms.

One of our key strands of work focusses on illicit tobacco. We have built up significant experience in this field over the last 20 years and you can find out more here 🔽

Real people. Real change. The regional FreshQuit website brings together tips, advice, inspiring stories, and local stop smoking support. It provides a one stop repository linked to all our campaigns and to make it easy to access info 🔽 www.freshquit.co.uk

1/2 There’s never been a better time to quit smoking. NE local authority & NHS leaders are backing a #SmokefreeGeneration, with 7 in 10 adults supporting raising the tobacco age of sale.

It was amazing to see such strong support for No Smoking Day last week, and to hear inspiring stories from people who have quit smoking🚭 Huge thanks to Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence @cfex.bsky.social for bringing some of these stories together in this video🎥 youtu.be/SJ-BOgaDutw

Huge thanks to Dr Tessa Langley for a brilliant talk on the economics of smoking at last week’s Fresh & NENC ICB Smokefree NHS webinar. 65+ colleagues from across the region joined - slides are now on K-Hub and the recording is now available on YouTube.

1/2 Smoking costs England £43.7 billion a year - harming our health, economy, NHS and communities. In the NE alone, it’s nearly £2 billion a year. Meanwhile, Big Tobacco is profiting from getting more people hooked on a lethal addiction every year.

This excellent piece in the @theguardian.com featuring Prof Lion Shahab from UCL is an informative read on nicotine addiction and the latest evidence on effective quitting. With welcomed increased investment for stop smoking support this is useful read to help with planning. shorturl.at/qjnli

1/2 Caring for others starts with caring for yourself. Health & social care staff across NENC can now access FREE digital stop smoking support via the NENC Smokefree NHS Programme. @smokefreenhsne.bsky.social

1/3 Andrew’s story shows why smoking and mental health can be addressed together. After 40 years of smoking, Andrew quit during a mental health crisis and received support from the team at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. @smokefreenhsne.bsky.social

Delighted that @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social has been appointed Public Health Minister. A champion for reducing smoking and tobacco legislation, she’s made a real difference for the NE. Read her contribution to @ashorguk.bsky.social’s blog:

We welcome the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the ambition it signals. To truly deliver a #SmokeFreeFuture, it must also be backed by a national tobacco control plan with a clear roadmap set out. This APPG report sets out what else is needed. bit.ly/4jiPsIv @ashorguk.bsky.social

Proud to see Joanna Feeney, Stop Smoking System Strategic Manager at Fresh, supporting the NHS Reddit AMA on quitting smoking. Every quit attempt matters. With the right support, you’re far more likely to stop for good. You’ve got the power – and the NHS has the experts to help 💪 shorturl.at/8YIO7

1/2 Tobacco companies sold people a lie that filters made smoking safer. But filters don’t protect smokers from cancer-causing chemicals, and cigarette butts are the world’s no.1 littered item.

Lynne relapsed after 12 years smoke-free but quit for good with Smokefree County Durham—and has #NoRegrets. This #NoSmokingDay, her message is clear don’t wait—support works. Find out more: www.freshquit.co.uk @ashorguk.bsky.social

169,000 people in the NE tried to quit smoking in 2025, with 48,000 successfully stopping. Stopping improves health immediately & helps protect the next generation. Proven support – local services, vaping, NRT or digital tools – makes quitting easier. Read our press release here 🔽

Chris has been smokefree for 3½ months & says it’s the best thing he’s ever done. He received support from Smokefree County Durham to stay on track. This #NoSmokingDay, help people achieve a healthier, happier & wealthier future. Find out how at www.freshquit.co.uk #NoRegrets @ashorguk.bsky.social

Today is #NoSmokingDay 💙 “No regrets quitting – I want to be here for my grandkids.” After 40+ years, Karen is smoke-free thanks to North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Trust. Free local support: FreshQuit.co.uk. #NoRegrets @ashorguk.bsky.social

It's #NoSmokingDay tomorrow. Mum Sue Mountain, started smoking at 11. After surviving laryngeal cancer three times, she’s now cancer-free and has #NoRegrets quitting. “Smoking is addictive. I’ve seen the heartbreak it causes. Quitting changed my life.” #SmokeFreeFuture @ashorguk.bsky.social

It’s #NoSmokingDay tomorrow Many people want to quit but don’t know about the free support from their local stop smoking services. Find all local services at www.freshquit.co.uk #NoRegrets @ashorguk.bsky.social

Thanks to local authority and NHS support, people across the NE are quitting smoking. Alex from Darlington is enjoying life smoke-free and had no regrets stopping 👏 #NoRegrets Watch 👇 @ashorguk.bsky.social

1/2 Tobacco and alcohol both increase cancer risk by damaging our DNA. But used together they elevate cancer risk further. NE GP Dr David Cummins is warning about the link to oesophageal cancer, with around 390 people diagnosed in our region each year.

1/2 Two days until #NoSmokingDay. We’re celebrating Colin, 35, from Newcastle. Quitting smoking has transformed his life - better health, money saved, and more time with his kids. 💛 #SmokeFreeFuture

Every cigarette takes 20 minutes off life. But our message across 2026 is that quitting gives life back. Our FreshQuit website is a hub of tips, advice, free tools and local support. Visit www.freshquit.co.uk #SmokeFreeFuture

We welcome the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the ambition it signals. To truly deliver a #SmokeFreeFuture, it must also be backed by a national tobacco control plan with a clear roadmap set out. This APPG report sets out what else is needed.. bit.ly/4jiPsIv @ashorguk.bsky.social

One week to #NoSmokingDay 💙 “No regrets quitting – I want to be here for my grandkids.” After 40+ years, Karen is smoke-free thanks to North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Trust. Free local support: FreshQuit.co.uk. #NoRegrets @ashorguk.bsky.social

We are delighted that @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social has been appointed as Public Health Minister. Sharon has a long track record of work to reduce smoking including playing a pivotal role in previous tobacco legislation. We look forward to working with her.

Congratulations to Sharon Hodgson MP @sharonhodgsonmp.bsky.social on being appointed as the Minister for Public Health and Prevention. We look forward to working together towards a smokefree future.

1/3 Tobacco companies sold people a lie that filters made smoking safer. But filters don’t protect smokers from cancer-causing chemicals, and cigarette butts are the world’s no.1 littered item.

Proud to see Joanna Feeney, Stop Smoking System Strategic Manager at Fresh, supporting the NHS Reddit AMA on quitting smoking. Every quit attempt matters. With the right support, you’re far more likely to stop for good. You’ve got the power – and the NHS has the experts to help 💪 shorturl.at/8YIO7

🎙️ Watch the latest 'Frontline Voices' podcast, produced by the North East and North Cumbria NHS. In this episode you can see Rachel McIlvenna and Dr Ruth Sharrock Reflect on the excellent work across the region to treat tobacco dependency 👏Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cR0...

1/2 In the NE there is excellent support available for quitting with thanks to the continued investment across all the local authorities into stop smoking services. So many local people are benefitting from these and we are delighted to showcase so many successful quitters.