Suffolk County Council, in association with Ipswich Town Football Club, is excited to launch a powerful new stop smoking campaign encouraging people to never stop trying on their journey to quit smoublished: 27 Jan 2025
The campaign highlights real-life stories of struggle, perseverance, and success, reminding people that while quitting smoking is difficult, the benefits of stopping are well worth it, no matter how many attempts it takes.
The campaign’s theme of persistence is echoed through a compelling new video that features Eddy and James, two Suffolk residents who have faced the challenges of quitting smoking and are now sharing their personal experiences. Their stories emphasise that quitting may involve setbacks, but it’s important to keep trying.
This message mirrors the journey of Ipswich Town Football Club, who spent 22 years fighting to return to the Premier League—a long and challenging journey, but one that proves that with perseverance, you can achieve your goal.
The campaign directs people who are thinking about quitting to Feel Good Suffolk – the county’s stop smoking service – who are ready to help, whatever stage someone is at. NHS figures show that smokers are up to three times more likely to quit with support from their local service.
Cllr Steve Wiles, Cabinet Member for Public Health, said:
“I am proud to support this campaign, which is not just about quitting smoking, but about changing lives,”
“By sharing the stories of real people like Eddy and James we want to inspire others to take that crucial first step. This campaign is all about supporting people in their quitting journey and showing them that they can succeed in the end with the right support. It’s also a great opportunity to promote the support that Feel Good Suffolk can provide, helping hundreds of Suffolk people with their journey to quit smoking.
Dan Palfrey, Director of Foundation at Ipswich Town said:
“We are proud to be part of this important campaign and to support our local community in making healthier choices. As a football club, we are committed to promoting well-being both on and off the pitch, and we encourage everyone who wants to quit smoking to seek the support they need.”
The Never Stop trying campaign is part of the national goal to create a smoke-free generation, as outlined in the national strategy “Stopping the Start: Our New Plan to Create a Smokefree Generation”. The aim is to reduce smoking rates in England to below 5% by 2030, ultimately building a healthier future for all.
Smoking is a key public health issue in Suffolk, contributing to nearly 1,000 deaths a year. Tobacco presents the single greatest risk for early deaths in Suffolk, which means that using smoked tobacco products poses a greater risk than other issues such as high blood pressure, obesity, alcohol, and air pollution. In 2024 alone, smoking cost Suffolk an estimated £703m in health and social care costs, lost productivity and smoking related fires.
Those seeking support on their quitting journey should visit Feel Good Suffolk Stop Smoking. The service offers various methods designed to assist people at every stage, whether it’s one-on-one coaching, phone support, or digital tools.
