City council invests a further £2 million to reduce smoking thanks to government funding

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is set to receive almost £2 million in government funding to reduce smoking in the City.

The city council’s cabinet is set to approve spending the grant money for the next five years when it meets on Tuesday 25 March.

The grant is awarded over five years, but approval will cover the grant award over the next four years, as last year’s grant has already been received.

The funding, provided by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), is part of a five-year programme running until 2029 to create a smoke free generation.

Smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable death in the UK, with 64,000 people dying every year. In Stoke-on-Trent, smoking rates are higher than the national average and a leading cause of deaths in the city.

Being exposed to the wide range of health harms that smoking causes, is damaging many lives across the City even in those who don’t smoke. 

The increased investment will help protect children from the many health problems tobacco causes and help people live longer, taking a big step towards a smokefree generation. 

In 2024/25, the city council has already used funding to:

• Create new roles to support an expansion of stop smoking offers to support more people to quit
• Offer free Allen Carr’s Easyway quit-smoking seminars - available in Stoke-on-Trent for the first time.
• Expand pharmacy support, giving more people expert advice in their neighbourhoods
• Work within communities to give people tailored support to quit smoking or vaping
• Work with councils across the West Midlands to share resources and cut smoking rates across the region.
• Conducting work to better understand how people want to be supported

All of this work will be led by the newly formed Stoke-on-Trent Tobacco Alliance, bringing together a range of organisations to make a bigger impact.

Stephen Gunther, director of public health at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “I am really pleased that we have received this funding to build on the great work that is already being done to stop people from starting smoking and help those who are to quit.

“It gives us a better chance to create a smokefree generation and support those who want to quit. We are committed to creating a healthier standard of living for all our residents and this funding will ensure we can offer support where it’s needed most. This will help improve people’s health and reduce inequalities across the city.”

Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This money will make a real difference to people in Stoke-on-Trent. By offering more support and reaching more people, we can help people live healthier, longer lives. Smoking causes real harm to families and communities, so helping people quit is a big step towards a smokefree Stoke-on-Trent.

For more information on the support available to quit smoking go to: www.stoke.gov.uk/smokefree