Public Health Wales Launches New Year Campaign to Help Smokers Quit

As the New Year begins, Public Health Wales has initiated a campaign aimed at helping individuals across the country quit smoking. The “Break Its Hold” campaign addresses the various challenges smokers face, such as stress and hectic lifestyles, while providing access to practical support through the NHS’s Help Me Quit services.

Most smokers express a desire to quit, with many attempting to do so annually. Research indicates that utilizing structured NHS support can significantly increase the likelihood of success. Help Me Quit offers personalized, expert-led advice tailored to individual schedules and locations. Participants can also access free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) or other stop-smoking medications.

The financial implications of smoking are substantial. A pack of 20 cigarettes now costs approximately £16.45, leading to a weekly expenditure of around £115 for someone smoking a pack daily. Over the course of a year, this amounts to nearly £6,000.

Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of illness and death in Wales. Between 2020 and 2022, there were an average of 3,845 deaths among adults aged 35 and over linked to smoking. This accounted for more than one in ten deaths within that age group. Furthermore, smoking resulted in over 17,000 hospital admissions annually during the same period.

The National Survey for Wales revealed that 10% of adults were smokers in the 2024–25 period. While this reflects progress, it underscores the ongoing challenge of smoking prevalence in the region.

Expert Insights on Smoking Cessation

Mary-Ann McKibben, Consultant in Public Health, emphasized the importance of change, stating, “Smoking continues to harm thousands of lives in Wales every year—but change is happening. Fewer people are smoking than ever before, and with the right support, even more smokers can be part of that positive trend.”

She urged individuals to make quitting smoking a resolute New Year’s resolution and highlighted that utilizing the free expert-led advice from Help Me Quit can facilitate this process. “Public Health Wales wants to help people live longer, healthier lives. To do this, our expert Help Me Quit advisers are available to support people to quit smoking for good,” McKibben added.

For those seeking assistance, visit www.helpmequit.wales or www.helpafiistopio.cymru to access free expert support and stop-smoking medication. Detailed information about signing up for Help Me Quit is also available on their website.

Public Health Wales continues to strive for improved public health outcomes, and this campaign represents a significant step towards reducing smoking rates in Wales.