Barnsley Council celebrates 25 years of stop smoking support services

This week, we’re proud to be celebrating 25 years of local stop smoking support services in Barnsley. Over the last quarter-century, our support services have been a phenomenal success, supporting thousands of residents on their stop smoking journey, improving health and saving endless lives.

Barnsley’s stop smoking support services were first launched in 1999 as part of the Government’s commitment to help smokers quit by investing in local authority led stop smoking services. Starting with just four staff members in a small office, our stop smoking service has grown into a vital community resource offering a range of support to suit varying needs and ensure support is accessible to everyone. The service is now run as part of Yorkshire Smokefree and operates under South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. 

To mark this significant milestone, we’re holding a Smoke Free celebration as part of the Family Hubs Festival on Saturday 30 August, from 10am to 3pm at Glass Works Square. Come along and enjoy a whole range of free activities and entertainment for all the family to enjoy. From the Bubbleman and climbing walls, to street entertainers and face painting you’re in for a real treat. There will also be number of information stalls showcasing support service available to families, including Yorkshire Smokefree and our Smoking in Pregnancy team, providing support and guidance to anyone on or starting their stop smoking journey.

The success of Barnsley’s stop smoking services over the years is plain to see, with recent data highlighting why this milestone is really worth celebrating:

•    Over the last 12 years, smoking rate in Barnsley has dropped significantly from 23.7% to 16.1% amongst men, and from 24.3% to 14.0% in females. 
•    For the last two year, the overall smoking rate in Barnsley stands at 15%, closely aligning with the England average. 
•    The quit rate is notably high, with 65% of people setting a quit date in 2023/24 successfully stopping smoking - well above the 55% target. 

Cllr Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said: “I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come over the last 25 years on our journey to create a smoke free Barnsley. Over the years, our local smoking support services have been at the heart of our efforts to reduce smoking across the borough, and this milestone provides an opportunity to celebrate not only the progress we’ve made, but also the number of lives we’ve saved. 

“Demands for our local service remains high with around three thousand referrals made annually over the last three years. So, the 25th anniversary of Stop Smoking Services is not just a milestone—it is a launchpad for even greater success in the future Supported by a number of other initiatives, and the hard work and commitment from our dedicated teams, I am confident that together we can achieve our ambitions for a smoke free borough where smoking becomes a thing of the past.” 

Amanda Longdon, service manager at Yorkshire Smokefree Barnsley, said: “Quitting is one of the best decisions smokers can make for their health. It may take several attempts, but with the right support, success becomes far more achievable. People don’t need to quit alone; our service is here to help every step of the way. It’s been incredible to witness how many lives have been transformed since we started. Every person who walks through our door is treated with care, compassion, and commitment by a team dedicated to supporting people to quit. This milestone isn’t just about numbers—it’s about the thousands of personal journeys we’ve supported along the way.”