Support available to smokers this Stoptober as Portsmouth City Council marks countdown to a smokefree generation
Portsmouth has more smokers than the national average
Smokers in Portsmouth will be able to access free expert support to help them stop the habit this Stoptober.
Since being set up over a decade ago, Portsmouth City Council’s Wellbeing Service has supported over 10,000 attempts to quit smoking to date. With 12.7 per cent of the city’s inhabitants smoking, which is higher than the average in England, the council is hoping to bring that down ahead of the introduction of a new policy aimed at preventing young people from starting.
The Smokefree Generation policy will be introduced from January 1 2027, making it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after January 1 2009. The age of sale will then increase by one year every year, eventually phasing out the sale of tobacco across the UK.
Helen Atkinson, Director of Public Health at Portsmouth City Council, said: "Smoking remains one of the biggest causes of preventable illness and early death, which is why this legislation is such an important step forward.
"The Smokefree Generation will help protect children and young people from the harms of tobacco and reduce the likelihood of future generations becoming addicted to smoking in the first place.”
An ASH adult survey conducted by YouGov showed that 66 per cent of people in the South East support the policy. While 74 per cent of people who have smoked said that if they could go back in time, they would not start smoking.
Portsmouth residents who want to stop smoking this Stoptober can take advantage of free support which is available via telephone or through drop-ins at venues across the city. The Wellbeing Service team can offer expert advice and arrange for you to get stop smoking products, medication, or a free vape kit (18+).
More details on the help available can be found at wellbeingportsmouth.co.uk/stopsmoking or by calling 023 9229 4001.