Smoking still shortens lives - but quitting can undo much of that harm. Through our Smoking Survivors work, we continue to highlight the real, long term benefits of stopping smoking - with more effective, flexible support now available to help people quit at www.freshquit.co.uk

Health and social care staff across the North East and North Cumbria can now access free digital stop smoking support. This includes 24/7 advisor support, plus free NRT and vape kits. Find out more and refer today: smokefreeapp.com/referral-nhs/ @smokefreenhsne.bsky.social

1/2 Celebrating success 🎉 Our Stop Smoking Community of Interest brings partners together to share learning and strengthen support for people who want to quit. A huge well done to Pat from Sunderland, recipient of our Quitter of the Quarter award.

The Tobacco and Vapes Act will help create a smokefree future free of lethal tobacco for millions more children in the future. Read this excellent myth buster from Cancer Research UK which answers many of the questions about how it will work in practice @crukpolicy.bsky.social 🔽 shorturl.at/i1jVB

Tobacco companies have a long track record of fuelling concerns about the illicit tobacco trade to further their lobbying efforts, undermine public health policies and maximise their profits. For more information see ASH’s webpage 🔽 shorturl.at/vYGyq

1/2 Cath from Northumberland quit smoking the day she was hospitalised with breathing problems and diagnosed with early stage COPD. With support from respiratory nurses and the Northumbria Tobacco Dependency Treatment Service - including NRT and a vape…

1/2 From 2027, the Tobacco and Vapes Act will start to raise the age of sale for tobacco year‑on‑year -protecting future generations from a product that is uniquely lethal. Sue explains why she has supported this www.fresh-balance.co.uk/news/sues-fight-protecting-future-generations-from-smoking/

1/2 May is Stroke Awareness Month. Smoking is one of the biggest preventable risk factors for stroke - even one cigarette a day increases risk. Tobacco damages blood vessels, raises blood pressure and makes blood clots more likely.

Health and social care staff across the North East and North Cumbria can now access free digital stop smoking support. This includes 24/7 advisor support, plus free NRT and vape kits. Find out more and refer today: smokefreeapp.com/referral-nhs/ @smokefreenhsne.bsky.social

Huge well done to Sue for sharing her story in the Chronicle. Lived experience like this cuts through - and shows why stopping smoking matters, and how support can make a real difference.

It’s a myth that smoking helps with stress – the reality is that it increases anxiety. Quitting breaks that cycle. We are highlighting how there are more ways to quit in the NE than ever before – from free local stop smoking services to the Smoke Free digital tool. @smokefreenhsne.bsky.social

The Tobacco & Vapes Bill is now law.🎉 Today’s Royal Assent reflects the hard work of Directors of Public Health & partners in ending smoking harm. 👀 Read more of our member's reflections on our website ➡️ bit.ly/TobaccoAndVa... @felly500.bsky.social @wisemanalice.bsky.social

🎉The Tobacco and Vapes Act is now law 🎊 We are delighted that the Tobacco and Vapes Act has received royal assent, creating a future free from the harms of tobacco for generations to come. This is truly a historic moment for public health.

1/2 Up to 4m UK young people could be spared a lifetime of lethal tobacco with raising the age of sale in the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Another 2m adults could join the Smokefree Generation with support to quit.

1/2 In 2025, UCL data shows around 169,000 people made a quit attempt in the North East – and around 48,000 were still not smoking at the time they were surveyed.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will help create a smokefree future free of lethal tobacco for millions more children in the future. Read this excellent myth buster from Cancer Research UK which answers many of the questions about how it will work in practice @crukpolicy.bsky.social 🔽

1/2 It’s never too late to quit smoking. Ian, 67, smoked for more than 50 years before stopping completely. A simple text from his GP about Northumberland’s Stop Smoking Service was the trigger that helped him quit smoking for good.

Illicit tobacco is a key priority for Fresh. Illegal products undermine price, increase access for children, & keep smokers dependent. With over 20 years’ experience, we work with enforcement partners to address both supply & demand. Raising price and reducing illegal tobacco - Fresh Balance

1/2 Smoking continues to shorten lives - but quitting can reverse much of that harm. Our #SmokingSurvivors campaign highlights the proven benefits of stopping, from better health and reduced anxiety to financial relief and more time to enjoy life with family.

New insight from @ashorguk.bsky.social: 69% of young people who smoke regret ever starting. Most people who smoke start before 18 - and many wish they hadn’t. Listen to these young smokers in the North East about their experiences. shorturl.at/rtQEC

Our Director Ailsa Rutter OBE was on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell Show this morning discussing the Tobacco and Vapes Bill – aimed at creating a smokefree future for the next generation. Listen back on BBC Sounds 🔽 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Health and social care staff across the North East and North Cumbria now have access to FREE digital stop smoking support. This includes 24/7 access to an advisor, free NRT and vape kits. Take the first step today - smokefreeapp.com/referral-nhs/ @smokefreenhsne.bsky.social

Every cigarette takes around 20 minutes off life - but quitting can give that time back. Our #SmokingSurvivors campaign shows the benefits of stopping smoking - and that there are now more effective ways to quit than ever before. Find out more at 🔽 freshquit.co.uk

It’s never too late to quit smoking. After more than 50 years, Malcolm from Hartlepool quit with support from his local stop smoking service – and is now healthier, more active and planning his first trip abroad. More effective support than ever is available at freshquit.co.uk. #SmokefreeFuture

Health and social care staff across the North East and North Cumbria now have access to FREE digital stop smoking support. This includes 24/7 access to an advisor, free NRT and vape kits. Take the first step today - smokefreeapp.com/referral-nhs/ @smokefreenhsne.bsky.social

Illicit tobacco remains a key focus for Fresh. All tobacco kills but illicit helps children get hooked and smokers trapped in addiction. With 2 decades of experience, our work addresses both the supply and demand for illicit, supporting enforcement partners. www.fresh-balance.co.uk/fresh/what-w...

1/2 Smoking continues to shorten lives - but quitting can reverse much of that harm. Our #SmokingSurvivors campaign focuses on the proven benefits of stopping: improved health, reduced anxiety, financial relief, and more time to enjoy life.

Must read from @ashorguk.bsky.social. Declining tobacco sales are being driven primarily by reduced smoking, not a surge in the illicit trade. This clear blog from John Waldron at ASH explains what the evidence shows - and why it matters. ash.org.uk/media-centre...

Celebrating success 🎉 Our Stop Smoking Community of Interest (COI) brings partners together to share learning and support more people to quit. A huge well done to Gemma King, Gateshead Council, for receiving a special recognition award for driving progress towards a #SmokeFreeFuture.

An excellent interview with @sharoncox.bsky.social of @ucl-targ.bsky.social where she explores what is addiction and how to understand the harms from this and why language also matters 🔽 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

1/2 For decades, tobacco companies sold a lie that cigarette filters made smoking safer. But filters don’t reduce cancer causing chemicals - and cigarette butts remain the most littered item on the planet.

1/2 Jason started smoking at 11 and was smoking 30 cigarettes a day. Seeing the scan of his first grandchild pushed him to quit. With support from Smokefree County Durham, he found the tools that worked for him - and says his breathing, fitness and day-to-day life are now “miles better”.

Last year 169,000 people in the North East tried to quit smoking. Across the region there are more ways to quit than ever before with local stop smoking services, digital support, vapes and NRT. Positive to see that almost 50,000 people successfully stopped. Read more here 🔽 shorturl.at/6t8Nz

Real people. Real change. FreshQuit brings together trusted tips, advice and local stop smoking support in one place - making it easier for people to find the help that works for them. Explore stories from the NE, practical guidance, and links to services across our region. 🔽 www.freshquit.co.uk

Indoor smokefree laws drove 300,000 extra quit attempts in 2007. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill could spark similar momentum and help more people move towards a smokefree future. Read more from @ashorguk.bsky.social here 🔽 ash.org.uk/media-centre…

Still time to listen to the North East North Cumbria NHS Frontline Voices podcast featuring Dr Ruth Sharrock & Rachel McIlvenna. They discussed how far the region has come in terms of tobacco harm, and what we need to do to reduce the harm of tobacco in the future. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cR0...

Every cigarette takes 20 minutes from the average person's life. For every pack smoked, that’s 7 hours of time with loved ones lost. It's time to support a #SmokefreeFuture. For more support to help people quit smoking, visit www.freshquit.co.uk.

So fantastic to see @cfex.bsky.social's Turn the Corner campaign launch today.🚭 The campaign shares the powerful stories of Wendy & Amy Robinson, mother and daughter, who both quit smoking to improve their health. 👀Look out for the campaign across TV, radio & social media in Yorkshire & the Humber

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