National No Smoking Day 2024

Wednesday 13 March 2024 was National No Smoking Day. Smoking is still the single largest preventable cause of death in England – estimated to account for 64,000 deaths each year.

The 40th anniversary of No Smoking Day is a time for us to unite and offer encouragement and support to those on their quitting journey,

There are over 5.3 million adults in England who still smoke, and smoking remains the single largest preventable cause of death in England. In fact, up to two in three smokers will die as a result of long-term smoking.

Almost every minute of every day someone is admitted to hospital in England with a smoking-related disease and in 2022-23, there were an estimated 400,000 hospital admissions in England due to smoking and one in four hospital patients is a smoker.

Despite the clear health risks of smoking, it’s  estimated that nearly 50 million cigarettes are smoked every day in England – around nine cigarettes a day per smoker.

However, smoking rates have reduced considerably since the first year of No Smoking Day 40 years ago and this year’s No Smoking Day campaign aims to continue this pattern and encourage people to quit by offering free proven NHS resources and advice.

Be part of the change and help build a smokefree generation. It’s much easier to stop smoking when you get the right support and there are lots of options to choose from. You can quit smoking this No Smoking Day – Wednesday 13 March. Visit https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/

Free local support is available

In each borough in north east London, there are free stop smoking services to help you. Visit our webpage to find out more or watch our video on YouTube.

Young people call for a smoke free generation

On the 40th anniversary of No Smoking Day young people and those damaged by smoking unite to call for a smokefree generation

People from across the country gathered in Parliament on No Smoking Day to tell their stories about the impact of smoking on their lives and why parliamentarians should back the Government’s vision for a smokefree generation.

Hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health, the event included those who have lost relatives to smoking, people whose health has been harmed, health professionals who have cared for people sick from smoking and young people who want to grow up in a smokefree country.

Twelve-year-old Rose Connolly from East Yorkshire was attending the event in Parliament to tell MPs why she wants to be part of a smokefree generation. She said: “I know how dangerous it is because my Nannie died from lung cancer from smoking, and it was painful and scary for her. I remember being in the hospice on the day she died.

“It wasn’t her fault and she wanted to stop lots of times and struggled.

“I don’t want to get sick from smoking and I don’t want anyone else to either – I know it’s really addictive, so stopping people from ever starting is a good thing.”

Bob Blackman MP, Chairman of the APPG on Smoking and Health said:

"This No Smoking Day, MPs will have the opportunity to hear from some of those whose lives have been damaged by smoking and see what a difference a smokefree generation could make. I stand firmly alongside the Prime Minister and his ambitious plan to close the door on the tobacco epidemic once and for all.

“We have a chance to lead the world in ending smoking, something that will transform the health and wealth of people across our society.”