Residents in Cheltenham are being encouraged to consider quitting smoking ahead of World No Tobacco Day on 31 May 2026. Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is using the upcoming awareness event to highlight available support for those looking to break the habit, noting that tobacco addiction remains the leading preventable cause of death in the UK.
According to health officials, smoking is associated with approximately 80,000 deaths annually in the UK and serves as a major driver for cancer, heart disease, and stroke. With nearly 60 per cent of tobacco users worldwide wishing to quit, the campaign aims to draw attention to how industries design products to trap people in a cycle of addiction. This year’s focus coincides with the recent introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which received Royal Assent in April 2026. The new legislation aims to create a smoke-free generation by banning the sale of tobacco to anyone born after 1 January 2009.
To assist local residents, the Tobacco Free Team at Gloucestershire Hospitals offers patients specialist advice, Nicotine Replacement Therapy, and ongoing support for up to 12 weeks after being discharged from hospital. Additionally, Healthy Lifestyles Gloucestershire will host an information event at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital on Friday 29 May 2026. Between 10am and 3pm, their team will be available in the atrium to provide information on their 12-week stop smoking programme.
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