Nearly 26,000 people in the South West have pledged to stop smoking in the past year, according to the latest NHS figures.

Data shows that from April 2024 to March 2025, 25,722 people living in the region decided to ditch the cigarettes, up from 15,000 the previous year.

But despite this progress, 562,482 adults in the South West still smoke, which highlight the need for continued support, awareness, and action.

13,500 people this year said they had not had a cigarette for four weeks after starting a quit attempt, with support from local authority and NHS stop smoking services.

These figures represent a 79% increase (up by 5,975) on the numbers last year.

Dr Justin Varney-Bennett, South West Regional Director of Public Health, said: “It’s great news to see that this year more people in the South West have made a commitment to attempt to give up the cigarettes with the support of local stop smoking services, and brilliant that each year we are seeing more and more people’s ambition to quit being successful.

“We now have more tools and techniques to help people quit successfully and improve their own health.

“Smoking remains the main cause of preventable death and disease in the South West.

“Over 6,500 people living in our region die from smoking-related diseases every year, and many thousands more develop heart disease, dementia and cancer because of the addiction to tobacco products.

“This is why across the South West the NHS and local government, working with our voluntary and community services, are committed to becoming a smoke-free region by 2030, reducing the percentage of adults who smoke to less than 5%.

“We are working together to ensure that everyone who is struggling with addiction to tobacco and nicotine can access free support to quit. We are also working with Trading Standards and the police to take dangerous illegal tobacco and nicotine products off the shelves, and with schools and communities to support young people to make different choices, so they can avoid the financial and health burden of addiction to tobacco and nicotine.”

Justin added: “Helping to cut smoking out of our lives would have a massive impact on the NHS budget. It is estimated that smoking places around £4.35 billion of avoidable costs on the NHS in the South West every year, which is money that could be spent on other services to keep you, your loved ones, and friends, living healthy, happy, and rewarding lives.

“Going smoke-free is good for the NHS, good for communities but most importantly it is good for your heart, your lungs, your bones and even your wallet.”

The South West has some excellent support offers with Somerset, Cornwall, North Somerset and Dorset smokefree services all have good quit rates, with approximately  two out of three people managing to stay quit after four weeks:

• Somerset had a quit rate of 73%
• Cornwall had a quit rate of 62%
• North Somerset had a quit rate of 60%
• Dorset had a quit rate of 58%

Alison Bell, Director of Public Health  Somerset, said: “In Somerset alone, around 60,000 people still smoke. That’s why we’re urging everyone – whether it’s your first quit attempt or your fifth, to keep trying. This is the most important action someone who smokes can take to improve their health.

“Services like Smokefree Somerset are completely free and proven to work, with the service’s support you’re four time more likely to quit than on your own. Whether it’s nicotine replacement therapy, prescription medication, or one-to-one support from trained practitioners, everything is tailored to help you succeed.

“We are urging professionals to have the conversation around smoking and signpost people to local services or encourage them to contact services themselves. It’s quick, easy, and confidential.

“Across the South West, two-thirds of people who accessed stop smoking services successfully quit. So, we’re also asking our partners in health, care, education, and community services to keep signposting people to these life-changing services.

“Together, we can help more people take that first step toward a healthier, smoke-free future.”

One of those success stories is Cliff Hopkins, 69, from near Wells, Somerset, who started smoking when he was 19 years old, and was smoking a 50g pouch of tobacco (between 80 and 125 rolled-up cigarettes) every three to four days.

This year, the retired painter and decorator and handyman, had his “biggest wake-up call.”

Cliff, a father of four, said: “Life totally changed for me when I woke up and I didn’t have my leg anymore. And it could happen to anyone who is a smoker.”

Cliff’s leg amputation was a result of blocked arteries caused by years of smoking.

In Cliff’s case the amputation was a result of blocked arteries caused by years of smoking.

After his operation Cliff was referred to Smokefree Somerset, which is commissioned by Public Health at Somerset Council by the Treating Tobacco Dependency team at Musgrove Park hospital. The Smokefree service were integral in introducing him to the free support available to help him quit.

The grandfather of nine heaped praise on the team, saying the meeting he attends on a Monday night, which is part of Smokefree Somerset’s community offer, have been really important to him.

“The meetings last about an hour and I enjoy talking to people. Initially you’re a bit quiet because you don’t know if you’ll fit in or not but after a couple of weeks you’re doing the talking and listening to other people’s experiences, which helps you get by.”

Smokefree Somerset, also provided nicotine replacement patches (NRTs) to help with the cravings for a cigarette.

The service also has a specialist maternity offer available to new mothers and mums-to-be.

“There’s only one person who is going to stop you from smoking and that’s yourself,” he added.

He hasn’t had a cigarette for almost five months and says he really doesn’t want one.

Cliff’s advice to other smokers making a quit attempt “Use the head, be determined, give yourself goals, say ‘I ain’t going to do this and I ain’t going to do that’. That’s how I’ve got by and that’s how I am going to continue to get by.

“Just give up, it will make life a lot easier for you and a lot better off in your pocket. Health, wealth and enjoyment of life.”

Smokers can also access support 24/7 from the free NHS Quit Smoking App available from the Apple Store and Google Play and Quit smoking – Better Health – NHS