Coventry and Warwickshire public health services are looking for residents who have managed to quit smoking or vaping and would be willing to talk about their journey as part of a video campaign.
Later this month a regional campaign will get underway to encourage people to take the first step to stopping smoking or vaping.
Earlier this year the Council approved government grant funding for 2024/25 to support stop smoking programmes and help plan for a national smokefree generation by 2030.
Allison Duggal, Director of Public Health and Wellbeing at the Council, said:
“We have really supportive health services that people can access to help them start working towards stopping smoking.
“Ultimately, people need to decide for themselves, but many thousands of people over the years have managed to and gone on to live a much healthier life, including myself.”
With the right support it is a little easier for people stop smoking or vaping, and people who have managed to do so can inspire others.
We are on the lookout for people to take part in a video campaign to inspire smokers across Coventry to quit.
Public health officers are hoping that the stories people share could be the difference that encourages someone to take that first step to quitting.
Volunteers don’t have to be on video camera, they can also share their story anonymously in writing, just by answering a few simple questions.
If you would like to take part, please email communications@coventry.gov.uk by Friday 13 September.
Smoke Free Coventry and Warwickshire – will be launching in September. Over the next 12 months both Coventry and Warwickshire Council’s and health partners will also be raising awareness around the impacts of smoking as well as vaping, with the clear message: if you don’t smoke, don’t vape.
The new Government is supporting the plan to create a Smokefree Generation across the country. The grant funding enables Local Authorities to increase spend on stop smoking programmes and commissioned services, targeting populations where smoking prevalence is highest.
Coventry City Council was awarded a grant of £520,304 annually in April 2024 until March 2029.