No Smoking Day – Sunderland smoking rates at all-time low

The news comes as the city marks No Smoking Day on Wednesday, March 11, with renewed efforts to encourage smokers to quit for good.

Councillor Kelly Chequer, deputy leader of Sunderland City Council and cabinet member for health, wellbeing and safer communities, said: “We know how damaging smoking is to health, and it’s fantastic that fewer people are smoking in Sunderland than ever before, but we really want to help more people go smoke free to improve their health and wellbeing.”

Sharon Pearson, 63, from Washington has quit smoking with the help of the Stop Smoking Service. (Image: Sunderland City Council)

Washington resident Sharon Pearson, 63, recently quit smoking with the service’s help.

Ms Pearson said: “I used a vape and patches to help me quit but having the advisors phone me to check in and remind me how far I’d come encouraged me to keep going.”

She began smoking as a teenager and eventually smoked up to 60 cigarettes a day, a habit that seriously affected her health.

Ms Pearson said: “I was out of breath all the time and I couldn’t walk very far.

“I was just smoking for smoking’s sake and to be honest I don’t know how I could afford it.”

She has now been smoke-free for 12 weeks and says she has seen real improvements in her health.

Ms Pearson said: “I can save money too; I’m putting away the money I spent on cigarettes to spend on holiday with my daughter.” 

Help is also available through GPs, pharmacies, family hubs and the free Smoke Free app, which includes expert advice, progress tracking and a vape starter kit.

Councillor Kelly Chequer added: “For many people the idea of quitting can be daunting, but there’s more support than ever before, so I’d encourage anyone wanting to quit to contact the Sunderland Stop Smoking Service to find out what support is right for them.”

Sunderland’s Specialist Stop Smoking Service offers free one-to-one support, nicotine patches, prescription medications and access to a free vape.

Anyone wishing to access stop smoking support can visit sunderlandstopsmokingservice.co.uk or call 0800 169 9913.