New campaign launches in Somerset to help people quit smoking
The 'What will I miss?' campaign is launching across Somerset to help adults stop smoking
Smokers in Somerset are being urged to think about what they could miss if they do not quit, as a new South West campaign gets underway.
The “What Will You Miss?” campaign is aimed at the estimated 60,000 adults in Somerset who smoke, encouraging them to make a quit attempt and access free local support.
It has launched with 100 days to go until the UK’s smokefree generation law comes into effect on 1 January 2027.
From that date, anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 will never legally be sold tobacco. The law will not affect adults who currently smoke.
In Somerset, around 10.9% of adults smoke, and approximately 746 people die each year from smoking-related illness.
Across the South West, smoking causes around 6,600 deaths annually, the equivalent of about 18 lives every day.
The campaign, launched by Smokefree South West, will run across television, radio and social media ahead of Stoptober.
At its centre is a film showing a bride on her wedding day, surrounded by family but missing the person she most wanted there.
The message is that smoking does not just take years from life — it can take people away from the moments that matter most.
A survey of more than 1,600 people who smoke in the South West found many want to quit but struggle to take the next step. More than three-quarters had previously made a serious quit attempt, but only around one in eight felt very confident they could stop successfully.
Eleanor Lyons, Public Health Registrar for Somerset Council told Greatest Hits Radio Somerset: "So we understand that lots of people understand that smoking is harmful but often it's the personal things that motivate change.
"Such as seeing your grandchildren grow up, those family celebrations, major life events that you want to be there for."
Alison Bell, Director of Public Health and Centre Director HDRC Somerset, said:
“The new smokefree generation law is an important step towards protecting future generations. But there are still more than 60,000 people in Somerset who smoke today, and this campaign is for them.
“Many people have tried to quit before or have been thinking about stopping for a long time. Every quit attempt is a positive step, and people are much more likely to succeed with the right support."
Councillor Evie Potts-Jones, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Public Health, said:
“Everyone deserves the chance to live a longer, healthier life. Quitting smoking is not always easy, but people do not have to do it alone.
“Last year, Smokefree Somerset helped more than 2,300 people set a quit date, with 70% successfully quitting, giving Somerset one of the highest quit success rates in the South West.
“This Stoptober, I would encourage anyone who smokes to consider taking their next step towards quitting.”
Smokefree Somerset offers free, personalised help face to face, over the phone and online.
Support includes one-to-one advice from trained practitioners, group sessions, help managing cravings, and access to stop smoking treatments and approved vaping products.
People can also use the free Smoke Free app for tools and encouragement throughout their quit journey.
Anyone who wants support can visit Smokefree Somerset, email [email protected] or call 01823 356222.