Key Points:
- Over 1,000 smokers in Newham supported to quit in 2024 via Quit Well Newham service
- 150,000 illegal cigarettes seized by Newham Trading Standards in 2024, worth over £280,000
- Enforcement in May 2025 led to seizure of £100,000+ worth of illicit tobacco including 65,000 cigarettes
- Average 20-a-day smoker spends approximately £5,000 annually on tobacco
- Quit Well Newham offers 12 weeks of free support, including nicotine replacement therapy and vapes
- Newham aims for a Smoke-Free borough by 2030 as part of its Health and Wellbeing Strategy
- Campaigns include World No Tobacco Day, Healthier You, and No Smoking Day
- Services available in multiple languages and accessible via phone, WhatsApp, email, and face-to-face
As reported by Newham Council’s Public Health team and Trading Standards, the borough is intensifying efforts to support smokers in quitting and to combat the illicit tobacco trade ahead of World No Tobacco Day on 31 May 2025.
What initiatives has Newham Council taken to support smokers quitting?
The Quit Well Newham programme has been pivotal in providing free, expert support to residents seeking to quit smoking. According to Newham Council, over 1,000 smokers successfully engaged with this service in 2024. The programme offers a 12-week personalised quit plan that includes weekly nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) such as patches, gum, lozenges, and electronic cigarettes (vapes).
Support is available through multiple channels: phone, text, WhatsApp, email, face-to-face sessions, and digital tools like the Smoke Free app. The service accommodates various languages including English, Bengali, Urdu, Gujarati, Lithuanian, and British Sign Language (BSL).
Community pharmacies also play a crucial role by providing weekly face-to-face support, medication, and carbon monoxide monitoring, plus ongoing follow-ups for at least four weeks.
How is Newham tackling illegal tobacco products?
As detailed by Newham Trading Standards, enforcement actions throughout 2024 led to the seizure of more than 150,000 illegal cigarettes and other illicit tobacco products valued at over £280,000. In the recent operation in May 2025, over £100,000 worth of illicit tobacco was confiscated, including more than 65,000 cigarettes.
Illegal tobacco products pose significant health risks as they may contain harmful contaminants like arsenic, mercury, lead, dirt, and even rat droppings. Furthermore, they finance serious organised crime networks.
What financial impact does smoking have on residents?
The Council highlights that an average smoker who consumes 20 cigarettes a day spends about £5,000 annually on their habit. Cllr Neil Wilson, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said:
“My message is simple – quit. Save your health and improve your wealth. Think what you can do with £5,000 a year.”
What campaigns and strategies are being promoted in Newham?
Ahead of World No Tobacco Day, Newham is redoubling efforts to raise awareness of tobacco’s dangers and promote quitting services. Other campaigns include:
- Healthier You (launched January 2023): Focuses on smoking cessation alongside mental wellbeing support through Newham Talking Therapies.
- No Smoking Day (March 2025): Encouraged local clinics and residents to engage with stop smoking services.
These campaigns align with the borough’s strategic priority to achieve a Smoke-Free Newham by 2030, as outlined in its “50 Steps to a Healthier Newham” Health and Wellbeing Strategy.
How can residents access quitting support?
Residents can contact Quit Well Newham via:
- Phone: 020 7882 8230
- Text/WhatsApp: 07474 082330
- Email: [email protected]
Additionally, community pharmacies provide free or subsidised nicotine replacement therapies and support. The national Stop Smoking London helpline (0300 123 1044) is also available seven days a week.
What practical advice does Newham Council offer to smokers wanting to quit?
The Council recommends:
- Setting a quit date and making a quit plan
- Identifying and avoiding triggers
- Using NRT such as patches, gum, lozenges, or e-cigarettes
- Seeking support from family, friends, and professionals
- Keeping busy to manage cravings
Newham Council’s combined approach of expert quit support, enforcement against illicit tobacco, and community campaigns aims to create a healthier, smoke-free borough by 2030.
