Leicestershire has the lowest adult smoking rate in the East Midlands, with just 9.4% of adults now smoking down from 11.2% in 2021. Local stop smoking service QuitReady is helping drive this success, with 65% of people quitting after four weeks above the national average of 53%.
As the national Stoptober campaign begins, one Leicestershire mum is sharing her QuitReady story to inspire others to take the first step.
Tara, from Leicestershire, had tried to stop smoking before. But with her 50th birthday approaching and her 8-year-old daughter as her motivation, she decided it was time to quit for good. “I want to be with her for as long as possible and not smell of tobacco every time I cuddle or kiss her,” said Tara.
She contacted QuitReady Leicestershire, the County Council’s free stop smoking service, and was matched with an advisor who supported her every week. “Having someone to check in with kept me focused. I felt proud to share my progress and it really helped me stick with it.”
Since quitting smoking, Tara has noticed big improvements in her health and daily life. She can breathe more easily and even run upstairs without getting out of breath. Her skin looks clearer, she’s stopped coughing and she’s saving around £100 each month. She explains: “I feel stronger and more confident. I used to love smoking. If I can quit, anyone can.”
QuitReady Leicestershire has helped over 13,000 people quit smoking since 2017. The service offers a free, confidential 12 week programme with tailored support from trained advisors. People who use the service are three times more likely to quit successfully.
This Stoptober, people are gearing up to quit smoking by booking free consultations with Quit Ready advisors, downloading the NHS Stoptober app, using e-cigarettes as part of a supported quit plan, quitting alongside loved ones, and setting a quit date while removing smoking triggers from their daily lives.
Tara started by setting a clear goal and leaning on her advisor for encouragement. She removed cigarettes from her home, changed her routines and used praise and progress as motivation. Her story shows that with the right support and mindset, quitting is possible and life changing.
By the end of the year, you could be smoke free and ready to start 2026 with a healthier future, and Stoptober is the perfect time to begin that journey. Our QuitReady service offers tailored support to anyone looking to quit and Tara’s story is a powerful reminder that stopping smoking is not only possible, but truly life changing.
While local figures show encouraging progress, smoking remains one of the leading causes of preventable illness and death so we remain committed to helping more people make the change.
Person:Councillor Michael Squires, cabinet member for health
To get support from Quit Ready Leicestershire, call 0345 646 66 66, text ‘ready’ to 66777 or visit the QuitReady website.