Proud to be Smokefree: Sheffield Ranks in Top 5 Nationally

Here in Sheffield, we are known for our community spirit. Now, we are national leaders in public health too.

Thanks to our local health teams, partners, and the thousands of residents who chose to quit for good, Sheffield has achieved a brilliant milestone. Our Community Stop Smoking Service (Smokefree Sheffield) now has the 5th-highest quit rate (per 100,000 smokers) among all local authorities in England.

Our local trends show clear progress as we work together to make smoking history. Let’s look at how our city is making it happen.

Meeting You Where You Are

Real progress does not just happen inside medical clinics. It happens out in our neighbourhoods where people live their lives. By listening to our communities, we have modernised local support. We have moved away from brief, one-off awareness campaigns to focus on permanent, everyday services shaped directly by what local people say they need, backed by vital behavioural research with the University of Sheffield. Smokefree Sheffield isn’t the only organisation making a difference to smoking rates in the city,

Supporting New Families: Sheffield’s midwifery teams offer targeted support and reward schemes to pregnant women. These initiatives have vastly reduced smoking during pregnancy, successfully driving rates down to below 6%.
Smoke-Free Learning Environments: Students are stepping into healthier spaces. Sheffield Hallam University already has a successful smoke-free policy firmly in place, and the University of Sheffield is now getting incredibly close to becoming a fully smoke-free campus too. At the same time, The Sheffield College is set to become smokefree and vapefree from August 2026. The college approved the move after a survey showed it had support from the majority of staff and students who responded. This means that smoking and vaping will no longer be permitted anywhere on the college’s estate.
Safeguarding the Next Generation: We are stopping nicotine addiction before it can take root. Our stop-smoking teams combine expert leadership with creative, youth-led education campaigns to support children and young people around smoking and vaping.

The Tools You Need to Succeed

Quitting is a personal journey, and having the right tools makes all the difference. We have expanded our local options to provide you with the best possible medical and emotional support. This includes free nicotine replacement therapies, vapes, and specialised prescription medicines like varenicline, alongside personal coaching tailored to your lifestyle.

If you or a loved one is ready to take that first step, you do not have to go it alone. Sheffield’s local services are completely free, confidential, and judgement-free.