Community · Swindon
Swindon Council launches anti-smoking campaign ahead of Stoptober
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
A new health initiative in Swindon aims to help residents quit smoking by highlighting the personal moments lost to tobacco-related illnesses.
Swindon Borough Council has launched a new campaign aimed at encouraging smokers to quit as part of a wider drive to improve public health across the town. The initiative, titled What Will You Miss? , shifts the focus away from general health warnings to the personal experiences that residents might miss out on due to smoking-related health conditions.
Latest figures indicate that 17,900 residents in Swindon, approximately 9.3 per cent of the local population, are current smokers. Health officials note that smoking remains a significant cause of preventable illness and premature death in the area, with an average of 230 people in Swindon losing their lives to smoking-related diseases every year.
Councillor Vinay Manro, Cabinet Member for Adults and Health at Swindon Borough Council, emphasised the personal nature of the decision to stop. He stated: Choosing whether to stop smoking is a personal decision. Our role is to make sure people have clear information and effective support available when they decide they want to quit.
The campaign is being delivered by Smokefree South West, a regional partnership comprising 15 local authorities and the NHS. It mirrors the structure of the successful Make Smoking History programme initially developed in Greater Manchester. Local data suggests that seeking professional support significantly improves the chances of success, with individuals being up to three times more likely to quit permanently with the right assistance compared to those attempting it alone.
Over the past year, the Swindon Stop Smoking Service has supported 1,230 quit attempts, resulting in 380 residents successfully stopping, representing a 31 per cent success rate. Emma Kain, Director of Public Health for Swindon Borough Council, acknowledged the difficulty of breaking the habit, noting that nicotine dependency creates a physical and behavioural challenge. She added that with appropriate motivation and structured support, residents can improve their long-term health prospects.
The local service offers an eight to 12-week programme providing support through face-to-face appointments, telephone consultations, or online resources. Residents interested in accessing this support or making a referral can visit the official council website at www.swindon.gov.uk/stopsmoking or contact the team directly by calling 01793 465513.
The campaign serves as a precursor to Stoptober and arrives as the UK moves towards stricter national tobacco legislation, with a new smokefree generation law scheduled to come into effect on 1 January 2027.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Lifestyle · View original