Councils team up to make Derby and Derbyshire smoke-free by 2030

Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council have teamed up to help their residents to quit smoking.

Smokefree Derby & Derbyshire will support the city and county’s aim to achieve Smoke-free status by 2030. By working more closely together, the two councils want to create a smoke-free future for all. The partnership will build on the work being carried out by Derby City Council’s Live Well and the county’s Live Life Better Derbyshire stop smoking services. 

With the launch of Smokefree Derby & Derbyshire, it will be even easier for residents across the two councils to access local, free support.   

Ellie Houston, Director of Public Health for Derbyshire County Council said: "We’re excited to launch Smokefree Derby & Derbyshire, and we’re looking forward to working together to help residents to stop smoking with the support of our local stop smoking advisors."

Many people want to stop smoking but try to quit without any help. People are three times more likely to stop for good with support, and the services are there to offer free and friendly guidance.  

Stopping smoking is a journey that takes time. The journey looks different for everyone and having someone guide you can make all the difference. Many try to quit several times before they stop for good, and the services are there to help - no matter how many times someone has tried to quit before. Livewell and Live Life Better Derbyshire supported over 3,000 people on their journey to quit for good in 2024.  

Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care, Councillor Alison Martin said: “It’s important that the support available to smokers who want to quit is accessible, flexible and works for the individual. Our message to smokers is ‘we know giving up smoking can be difficult but, with the right support, you can stop smoking for good." 

Both services offer residents free support to quit with a range of tools available including in-person and telephone support, free nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), regular carbon monoxide monitoring as well as free vapes and liquids. The advisors provide tailored quit plans and regular check-ins.   

Dr. Robyn Dewis, Director of Public Health for Derby City Council said: “Smoking is a leading cause of poor health across Derby and Derbyshire, so we want all residents to know that there is free and easily accessible support available. We encourage residents who wish to quit smoking to contact Smokefree Derby & Derbyshire to see how they can help."

By raising awareness of the support available to residents, Smokefree Derby & Derbyshire hopes to create a healthier future for smokers who want to kick the habit. 

Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communties, Councillor Carol Hart said: “We know many want to quit smoking. Although people may know the risks associated with smoking, many people try to quit and find it hard to stay stopped. We want to give residents the confidence to try by showing them that the stop smoking advisors are there to support them along the journey."

Residents in Derby and Derbyshire can go to smokefreederbyandderbyshire.org.uk to get support and help to quit from their local stop smoking support service. They can also follow Smokefree Derby & Derbyshire on Facebook.