Welcome
Welcome to our summer SmokeFree Hull Summer Newsletter packed with service updates, success stories, a new smokefree app offer, as well as information on the new disposable vaping ban, our recent ‘what will you miss?’ campaign, and a healthy summer recipe to support you on your smokefree journey when summer finally arrives!
Service update
Service manager Tracy
It’s been a truly exciting and transformative period for our service, marked by significant growth, innovation, and a renewed commitment to supporting people on their journey to quit smoking. One of the most notable milestones was our move in February to our new home at the Rainbow Centre. This fresh, welcoming space has provided us with a fantastic environment to deliver our services more effectively and comfortably for both our team and the people we support.
Our team has also grown stronger with the addition of several new members. We were thrilled to welcome a Senior Administrator, an Administrator, and a new Stop Smoking Advisor to our ranks. In addition, we celebrated an internal promotion, with one of our dedicated team members Chelsea stepping into the role of Team Leader.
To enhance accessibility and reach, we’ve launched a new on-site clinic at the Rainbow Centre, led by our new SmokeFree Advisor James, and we always welcome any drop ins! Beyond our main site, we’ve also established new clinics across the city, at the Lighthouse Centre, Wilberforce Health Centre, Alexandra Health Care Centre, and Sutton Manor Surgery, specifically targeting areas with the highest smoking prevalence. These efforts are part of our ongoing mission to ensure that everyone—regardless of where they live—has access to the help they need to quit smoking.
Our work doesn’t stop at clinics. We’ve been actively collaborating with Dental practices and Primary Care Networks to support their patients through a variety of initiatives, including regular text message campaigns. These partnerships, along with our engagement with local workforces and community groups, have allowed us to extend our reach and provide tailored support to even more people.
The impact of these efforts has been fantastic. Over the past year, we’ve received a record-breaking 3,036 referrals into our service, the highest number we’ve ever seen! Even more encouraging is the success rate: 65% of those who set a quit date with us successfully quit smoking.
As we look ahead, we remain passionate and committed to building on this momentum. Our goal is to continue making it as easy and accessible as possible for people to quit smoking, and we’re excited about the future of our service and the positive impact we can continue to make in our community.
Meet the team
Our team are here for you, we’re all passionate about helping our local community stop smoking and making you feel happier and healthier by achieving your quit goals.
So, let’s get to know the newest member of our team…
Stop Smoking Advisor James
- What do you like to do to in your spare time?
If I’m not at the gym pretending that I know how to lift properly, you’ll probably find me melting in a sauna, swimming a few laps, or nose-deep in a good book — preferably something that makes me look smarter than I am.
- If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
‘Paradise’, by Phil Collins — because if I’m going to be stuck on repeat forever, I want it to be smooth, nostalgic, and just dramatic enough to make mundane moments feel like a movie scene.
- What job did you want to do when you were younger?
Like every kid with a half-decent kick, I was convinced I’d be the next football superstar — fame, glory, and my name on the back of shirts. Turns out, I’m better at helping people quit smoking than scoring goals... but hey, still changing lives!
- Why do you enjoy working as a stop smoking advisor?
There’s nothing quite like the joy (and smug happiness), when someone comes back to tell me they’ve kicked the habit. It’s like winning the world’s most rewarding game — except instead of goals, it’s high-fives and fresh lungs all around.
- What are three items you’d take with you to a deserted island?
A fishing rod (because even coconuts get boring), a portable speaker to blast ‘Paradise’ by Phil Collins on repeat (obviously), and a never-ending supply of sunscreen — because no one wants to come back looking like a lobster!
- What’s your favourite food?
Jollof rice all the way. It’s the perfect mix of spicy, savoury, and downright delicious — basically my happy place on a plate. Bonus points if there’s some good chicken on the side!
- Why did you choose to work in smoking cessation?
Honestly, it’s all about the genuine passion for helping others. There’s nothing better than guiding someone to a healthier, happier life — plus, I get to be the guy who cheers the loudest when they kick the habit for good.
- Do you have any pets, and what are their names?
I’m a big dog lover, but not quite ready for the full-time dog-parent hustle just yet. Had a loyal buddy named Hero in the past — the name says it all, really. Someday soon, I’ll be back to the dog squad for sure.
- If you could pick up a new skill or hobby in an instant, what would it be?
If I could pick up a new skill in an instant, it’d be playing chess like a grandmaster. Nothing beats outsmarting everyone at the board — plus, it’s the perfect excuse to rock that thoughtful “I’m planning my next move” look.
- What would be your idea of a dream holiday?
A dream holiday for me is all about total relaxation — somewhere quiet, away from everything and everyone, where the biggest decision is whether to nap or have another cocktail. Bonus points for a beach and zero Wi-Fi drama.
‘What will you miss?’ campaign
Yes to quit
Our team were part of a new tobacco centre for excellence regional campaign in helping people access stop smoking services in the Humber and North Yorkshire.
Yes to Quit is the local tobacco control initiative, with a focus on reducing the harm from preventable risk factors including tobacco, alcohol and obesity with four key objectives.
Their first mass media campaign was ‘what will you miss more than smoking?’, with a bride giving a speech at her wedding from her father who unfortunately couldn’t attend the wedding due to having died from a smoking related illness. The campaign was shown on various platforms including regional TV, radio, on the side of buses and through local media. The aim of the project was to shine a light on what opportunities and life experiences you will miss due to smoking and what support is available to help you quit.
As part of the launch of the new project and initiative, we went to Malet Lambert school, to help create a short promotional video interviewing a member of our comms team and our client to signpost the great work stop smoking services do to help those who want to quit.
We also had pop-up theatre performances in Trinity Market and St Stephens shopping centre, with another wedding speech from loved ones who couldn’t be there. The story had a positive ending driving people to their local stop smoking services for support.
It’s been many years since we had a mass media campaign focusing on supporting people to stop smoking, so we’re proud to be part of the new partnership and continue to let people know we’re here to help when they’re ready.
So, watch this space, we have more exciting projects in the works to show just how great our service is, and the support we can give to anyone looking to stop smoking!
Clive’s smokefree journey
I had a lung health check a while back, and I couldn’t stop coughing, so they referred me to SmokeFree Hull. I was thinking about it anyway, as I was getting up coughing in the middle of the night, but it was the push I needed, and I thought if I don’t succeed, I haven’t lost anything by trying.
I started using the vape after talking through my options with my SmokeFree Hull Advisor Tanya. I was planning for my quit date, and my birthday was coming up that Friday, and I suddenly realised that I definitely wanted to give up, and that I didn’t want to smoke anymore past my birthday.
I’ve never tried to quit before now, but each morning I was bringing up so much phlegm it was horrible. I was holding onto the sink to keep me upright as I was coughing so badly. I thought I can’t carry on like this much longer, it was scary!
I enjoyed speaking with my advisor Tanya, she would ring up and tell me about my progress, and how many days smokefree I was. I’m over 100 days now. She was always at the end of the phone should I need anything, and she was really helpful.
The vape isn’t as expensive as you think it is, and it doesn’t take long to charge up either. I went from 11 strength, to 6, then to 3, and finally to 0 nicotine in the vape, all that’s left is to get rid of the hand to mouth action now.
I have smoked since I was 11 or 12 years old, all the older kids got me into it, and I’m over 50 now. I retired 10 years ago from Smith and Nephew, and I developed asthma. I use an inhaler as well, but my breathing is far better than it was last year, which is all because I’ve stopped smoking. I now walk an hour a day and I do 10,000 steps to keep fit and healthy which I couldn’t do before when I was smoking.
I don’t feel so tired anymore either, I ache, but that’s due to my age, but I don’t push myself to do too much either.
Being around other smokers, or in smoking crowds doesn’t bother me anymore either, and it doesn’t trigger my need to smoke. I just hold onto my vape in my hand if I feel like I need it.
I’ve had some personal setbacks, unfortunately I lost some family members all at once, and I still didn’t smoke even then, so I feel very proud of that.
I think what has helped me stay quit is that you can’t smoke in pubs anymore, or indoor places. I could never smoke when I went round to visit my kids, or vape either, so I really don’t miss it when I go round to see family anymore. My family have been really supportive as well to keep me on track.
Neither Tanya nor the lady Lisa, the nurse that referred me, where pushy about me stopping. They just said give it a try! I needed to be in the right frame of mine, and I wasn’t pestered to do anything.
I would recommend the service to anyone who wants to succeed, you haven’t lost anything by giving it a go, and the vapes are all free too. I couldn’t carry on smoking, and it was up to me to do it.
I would say to anyone that you should just give it a try. Pick a day to work towards and talk to SmokeFree Hull to get some advice and a stop smoking product to help with cravings. Help is out there, and it really helps knowing that it was a lot easier than I initially thought, with the combined effort from SmokeFree Hull and my advisor Tanya as well.
Disposable vaping ban and what it all means
From the 1st of June, the UK government has banned disposable (single-use) vapes. These are the vapes you throw away after they run out. The ban is part of a plan to protect young people and the environment.
Why is the ban happening?
To stop more children and teens from starting to vape.
Disposable vapes are very often targeted to young people, with bright, colourful packaging and sweet flavours. Disposable vapes are also easier for young people to use and get hold of.
We only recommend using a vape for adults who are trying to give up smoking, to support them to do this and to stay quit. If you do not smoke, don’t vape.
To reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.
I am sure you’ve seen a lot of litter around Hull that comes from disposable vapes, like stickers, packaging, or the vapes themselves. Disposable vapes create a lot of plastic waste – which harms the environment. They also include batteries which can be dangerous to the environment when they are not disposed of properly.
To help people choose safer, long-term ways to stop smoking.
Reusable vapes are a better alternative to disposable vapes for those who want to stop smoking. They are cheaper in the long term, better regulated and last longer. They will also allow you to control the level of nicotine that you use, in order to reduce this down when you feel that you’re ready to stop vaping too.
What does this mean for you?
Research by Public Health England and others indicates that vapes are at least 95% less harmful to your health than smoking tobacco, and vaping is medically proven to be one of the most effective tools for quitting smoking.
So, if you’re using a vape to stop smoking, make sure you switch to a refillable device. Reusable vapes are not banned. We still offer refillable vapes to help you stop smoking safely. These vapes contain clean nicotine - not all the harmful chemicals found in illicit vapes.
We still offer support and safe products. Our vapes are regulated by the government and are legal – and they are a lot safer for you than smoking.
For more information about vapes, how to dispose of them safety or even how to quit vaping altogether visit our vaping support pages.
If you’re worried about young people and vaping you can find out more on our young people pages too.
Stop smoking play
When looking at some old, archived plays, our SmokeFree Hull Advisor Mhairi found some interesting pieces originally written by John Horsley formerly of Hull Community Theatre about smoking, addiction and quitting for good which were originally performed in schools. This particular piece is just as relevant today as it was in 1982 when it was written, about the challenges smokers face with quitting cigarettes.
‘Giving up’
“‘Just give up’ they say,
As though you can throw the habit away in a trice.
They don’t understand.
I’m held by addiction tight in an iron vice.
‘Just give up’ they say,
‘And think of the piles of money you’re going to save!’
They don’t understand.
The power of the cigarette, and the smoke I crave.
My right hand feels empty,
And before I can stop it,
It’s picked up a pack,
And refuses to drop it.
If I’m offered a cig,
I cannot ignore it:
I say ‘no’ to myself,
But my hand reaches for it.
‘Just give up’ they say,
Ignoring my need to settle my crazy brain.
They don’t understand.
I’m fettered to a cigarette with invisible chains.
I’ll do as they say!
Although it’s the hardest thing I’ll ever do.
I’m giving up smoking,
And I’m determined I will see it through.
I have gained the fight!
I challenged addiction and I have won the race.
I’ve given up smoking,
And that’s the greatest battle I’ll ever face.”
Circa 1982 John Horsley
Recipe
Staying healthy and smokefree means more than just stopping smoking. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health and can help you feel at your best too.
Strawberry Frozen Yoghurt by SmokeFree Hull Advisor Shaneen
As we head towards the summer and warmer weather we often want lighter and more refreshing snacks. This is a very quick and easy recipe to follow which also works well with blueberries or raspberries.
You can even use mini-ice lolly moulds and have these as refreshing lolly snacks which can provide a healthier replacement for the hand to mouth action.
Find the recipe from GoodFood
Smoke Free App
We know not everyone wants to access a stop smoking service to help them quit smoking, so we’re bringing the support to you instead.
We have a great opportunity to help reach even more people in the city to stop smoking, as we have partnered with the Smoke Free App.
Giving up smoking is probably the best thing you can do for your health. The freedom, knowledge and self-confidence you’ll gain from conquering your cravings will deliver massive benefits in other areas of your life too.
You can now take control of your smokefree journey with 6 months’ FREE access to the Smoke Free App (which would normally cost you around £50).
As a Hull resident, you'll receive:
- Professional support from dedicated stop smoking advisors who work for the app
- Easy-to-use motivational tools to help with cravings, right at your fingertips
- Access to other quitters to share experiences and knowledge
- A free vape starter kit and up to 12 weeks’ worth of oils to help you quit and manage nicotine cravings
- 24/7 guidance right there on your phone.
Smoke Free is the most popular stop smoking app available. More than four million people from 190 countries have used the app in the past six years and it is rated 4.7 stars on the App Store (with 150,000 5-star reviews).
How to get started
This offer is open to anyone who is a Hull resident and are aged 18 and over.
All you have to do is download the app using this link, and scan the QR code. It's easy and simple to use for everyone.
If you would prefer to work with SmokeFree Hull and have a face to face appointment to help you quit, give us a call on 01482 977617 or visit our website.
Get in touch
We’d love to hear from you!
The service is continuously adapting and developing, to make sure we’re providing the best service possible.
Your opinion matters to us, so please complete the survey to let us know how we’re doing!