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Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 20h

It’s week 2 of #Stoptober and we’ve joined with our incredible partners this month to support Stoptober and encourage even more people across the NE to join the tens of thousands of people quitting this October🔽

Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 1d

2025 marks 25 years of Stop Smoking Services!
In the NE, SSS have helped 400,000 people quit — improving health, saving lives, and changing futures.

Huge thanks to our partners for showcasing services across the region for #Stoptober, and to the teams helping so many people.

Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 2d

"I quit smoking to see my grandchildren grow up,' says Teesside dad after heart attack." Coverage of John Stephenson's quitting journey from harm to hope in Teesside Live www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teessid...

Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 2d

“My granddaughter started copying me smoking - that’s when I knew I had to stop.”
After 40+ years, Alex from Darlington is now smoke-free - saving up to £400 a month and feeling healthier and happier.
This #Stoptober, let’s share real stories like Alex’s to inspire others 🔽 #SmokeFreeFuture

Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 5d

2/2 Harmful for health, and harmful for the environment. This blog from @ashorguk.bsky.social tells you all you need to know about the Great Cigarette Filter Fraud 🔽
ash.org.uk/media-centre...

The Great Cigarette Filter Fraud - ASH

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.

ash.org.uk

Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 5d

1/2 Tobacco companies sold people a lie that filters made smoking safer. But filters don’t protect smokers from cancer-causing chemicals, and cigarette butts are the world’s no.1 littered item.

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Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 7d

After smoking for nearly 50 years, Alex from Darlington has now stopped and is saving up to £400 a month, feeling healthier & happier. With support from his local stop smoking service, he made it happen. This #Stoptober, help us share real stories like Alex’s to inspire [email protected]

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Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 7d

2/2 We’re proud to support #Stoptober — encouraging people across the North East to quit this October and take the first step towards a healthier, smoke-free future. Read more: shorturl.at/Q1oq6
@ashorguk.bsky.social

Stoptober is back – give yourself the best possible chance with quit aids and support - Fresh Balance

Stoptober is back and councils across the North East with Fresh are encouraging people who smoke to join millions of others who have stopped successfully with the campaign. This year smokers can give ...

shorturl.at

Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 7d

1/2 #Stoptober is back – a huge opportunity to support people to stop smoking this October.
2.5 million people have already tried to stop.
But 5 million in England – including 233,000 in the NE – still smoke. Let’s help more people stop for good.

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Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 9d

Great to see that the dates have been set for Tobacco and Vapes Bill committee stage in UK House of Lords starting on 27th October.
We hope to see the Bill progress now as support for a #smokefreefuture remains high.

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Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 9d

2/2 Smoking causes more than six out of ten lung cancers and cases are now rising among women.
Her story shows the human cost - and why helping people stop, saves lives. @ashorguk.bsky.social @cancerresearchuk.org

#SmokeFreeFuture

Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 9d

1/2 Cathy from County Durham is a #SmokingSurvivor. She’s fought lung & kidney cancer and warns people who smoke: “Don’t wait until it’s too late – stopping gave me the strength to fight.”

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Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 12d

“Smoking doesn’t make your stress go away – it makes it worse.” #SmokingSurvivor Cathy tackles the myth that keeps so many people trapped in tobacco smoking – an important message for everyone working in health.

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Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 12d

Tomorrow marks two years since the North East launched its vision for a totally smokefree future. We are proud of this collective ambition that has united many to end the death and disease from tobacco smoking.
shorturl.at/Y1mQF

Supporting the North East Declaration for a Smokefree Future - Fresh Balance

We are supporting calls for the government to commit to a “Smokefree 2030”. The North East has a Declaration for a Smokefree Future to end the death and disease of tobacco. The declaration is supporte...

shorturl.at

Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 14d

2/2 Alongside
@ashorguk.bsky.social @cancerresearchuk.org & the APPG on Smoking & Health, we’re calling for a tobacco levy to fund prevention.
The public supports this.

Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 14d

1/2 The tobacco industry profits from addiction. Meanwhile, the NHS, local services & our communities pick up the bill. A levy on Big Tobacco’s profits would raise £700m in year one - funding stop smoking support & saving lives. @ashorguk.bsky.social

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Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 14d

🚨 Just 1 week to go until #Stoptober is back!
We are working with partners from across the NE to support the thousands taking the step to quit this October. Find free advice & support at🔽 freshquit.co.uk
@ashorguk.bsky.social

Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 15d

2/2 The biggest threat to the tobacco industry isn’t smuggling – it’s more smokers being motivated to quit, fewer children starting, and fewer lifelong customers addicted to smoking. Read
@AshOrgUK
’s blog 🔽
shorturl.at/bHnMu
#SmokeFreeFuture

From smuggling to spin: how tobacco giants hijacked the illicit trade debate - ASH

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) is a campaigning public health charity that works to eliminate the harm caused by tobacco.

shorturl.at

Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 15d

1/2 Big Tobacco shouts “illicit trade!” and mobilises lobbying efforts whenever new laws are proposed to reduce smoking harm.
Yet HMRC data shows illicit tobacco is down nearly 90%since 2000 - alongside big drops in smoking. @ashorguk.bsky.social

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Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 16d

Just one cigarette a day raises risks of heart attack and stroke. John is now smokefree after decades of smoking. His story is part of our #SmokingSurvivors campaign. Every quitter inspires others, showing a #SmokeFreeFuture is possible 🔽 @ashorguk.bsky.social

Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 19d

Congratulations to Amy from Newcastle for winning Quitter of the Quarter at our Stop Smoking Community of Interest. The COI brings together people offering stop smoking support across to share learning & strengthen support for quitting.

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Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 20d

2/2 The biggest threat to the tobacco industry isn’t smuggling – it’s more smokers motivated to quit, less children starting, and fewer lifelong customers addicted to smoking. Read this @ashorguk.bsky.social blog 🔽

shorturl.at/bHnMu
#SmokeFreeFuture

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Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 20d

1/2 Big Tobacco cries “illicit trade!” every time new laws are proposed to reduce the addiction, death and disease of smoking. But HMRC data shows illicit tobacco consumption has dropped by nearly 90% since 2000 alongside reductions in smoking…

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Reposted by Fresh - Making Smoking History

Alcohol Health Alliance UK @aha-uk.bsky.social · 23d

📊74% of people want health prioritised over business growth.

Together with @ashorguk.bsky.social & @oha-updates.bsky.social we're calling for stronger action on alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy food to protect the NHS and boost the economy.

Read our full letter: www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Get tough on tobacco and alcohol firms to improve public health | Letters

Letters: Hazel Cheeseman, Prof Sir Ian Gilmore and Katharine Jenner call for minimum unit pricing, a levy on profits, and policies to improve food and drink. Plus a letter from Mary Foy

www.theguardian.com

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Fresh - Making Smoking History @freshsmokefree.bsky.social · 21d

Cathy from County Durham says quitting smoking has helped her feel calmer & more in control. “It doesn’t make stress go away.”
Cathy now realises how powerful the addiction was trapping her in a cycle of stress & anxiety. #SmokingSurvivors @ashorguk.bsky.social