Campaign helps smokers in Oxfordshire find happiness
Smokers in and around Banbury who would like to quit can learn more about how to do this and make themselves feel calmer, brighter and healthier, as the South East Smokefree Alliance (SESA) comes to Banbury Market on 15 January.
Stop smoking support advisors, Oxfordshire County Council officers and members of SESA will be out and about on 15 January between 10am and 3pm to spark conversations about wellbeing, and the link between quitting smoking and feeling better.
It forms part of a wider regional campaign that seeks to dispel myths around smoking being a way to relief stress.
Councillor Kate Gregory, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, said: “Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health and happiness. We want everyone in Oxfordshire to know that free support is available and taking that first step could lead to a brighter, healthier future for you and your loved ones. If you want to take the next step, do take advantage and speak to a member of the team!”
Dr Sarah Milne, Lead of the South East Smokefree Alliance, said: “So many people believe smoking helps them cope with stress, but the truth is the opposite. Nicotine tricks your brain into thinking you need it to feel calm, when in fact it’s stealing your happiness and resilience.
“We recognise that people have other stresses and challenges in their lives though the evidence is clear that if you are receiving support for a mental health problem or major challenge, quitting smoking can help you through this.”
The market stall will also feature activities and conversation starters to get people thinking and smiling.
The activities are part of a mass media campaign funded by 18 councils in the south east of England that explains in simple terms how quitting allows the brain to produce dopamine naturally again, helping people feel calmer, brighter and less stressed within weeks.
Stop Smoking, Feel Happier forms part of SESA’s wider mission to make the south east a smokefree region by 2030. Over 846,000 adults in the south east smoke, costing thousands of lives every year and deepening health inequalities, particularly among people with mental health challenges and those in manual or routine jobs.
Thousands of people in Oxfordshire successfully quit with the free support of their local stop smoking service each year and the service will be on hand in Banbury to share how they can help.
The council’s free stop smoking service, Smokefree Oxon also provides a range of support services to help residents quit, including aids, coaching and more. Find out more by visiting Smokefree Oxon’s website, by calling 0800 772 3673, or text QUITOXON to 66777.
More information
The South East Smokefree Alliance (SESA) represents 18 local authorities: Bracknell Forest, Brighton and Hove, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Medway, Oxfordshire, Portsmouth, Reading, Slough, Southampton, Surrey, West Berkshire, West Sussex, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Wokingham.
There are at least 846,787 adults who smoke across the south east – 10.6 per cent of the population. Thousands of people have stopped smoking in Oxfordshire over the past few years.Smoking prevalence rates in Oxfordshire have fallen in 2024 to an all time low of 7.5 per cent of the population. This still means thousands can still access the free support to quit.
Smoking causes around 9,500 deaths each year in the south east region and is responsible for over 55,000 hospital admissions annually.
Smokers are 2.5 times more likely to need social care and on average need it 10 years earlier than non smokers.
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