No Smoking Day: 157,000 quit smoking in North West
Around 157,000 people in the North West successfully quit smoking in 2025, according to new figures released for National No Smoking Day. Separate YouGov polling for ASH reveals 55% of smokers in Greater Manchester want to quit, while 82% started before age 18. The data comes as momentum builds around the Government's Tobacco and Vapes Bill and follows Greater Manchester's 'What Will You Miss?' stop smoking campaign. The initiative forms part of Greater Manchester's ambition to become a smokefree city region by 2030. Phil, a retired teacher from Greater Manchester, shares his story of being diagnosed with COPD and later lung cancer after decades of smoking, highlighting that it's never too late to quit. Dr Rebecca Fletcher, Director of Public Health at Oldham Council, emphasizes that smokers are up to three times more likely to quit successfully with help than going it alone.