Stoptober 2026: let’s quit together, City & Hackney
Live, work, study or have a GP in the City of London or Hackney? This Stoptober, get free help to stop smoking.
Whether you’re fitting quitting around work, family life or studying or you’ve tried before and want to give it another go - we’re here to help, without judgement.
✅ Start your quit journey this October with the help from our local team:
💬 Get free stop smoking support
📍 Find support near you
Prefer to speak to someone? Give us a call: 0800 046 9946
Why October/Stoptober?
Free local support. A plan that fits your life.
Stoptober brings people together to stop smoking during October, with a goal of reaching 28 days smoke free. According to NHS research, if you can make it to 28 days smoke free, you are five times more likely to quit for good.
But you don’t have to stop “cold-turkey” and you don’t have to do it alone. You can take it one day at a time, and our helpful team will be there to help you every step of the way.
Start your Stoptober
Free support that fits life in City & Hackney
From your first conversation to the moments you need extra encouragement, we’re here to help. Our free service includes:
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12 weeks of support
Work with your own dedicated stop smoking advisor to find an approach that fits your life.
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Help with cravings
Get practical help with cravings and the everyday triggers that make you want to smoke.
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Quit aids that suit you
Explore nicotine replacement therapy and other quit aids, where appropriate.
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Medication advice
Get advice about stop smoking medication, based on your needs and eligibility.
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Encouragement along the way
Get support throughout your quit journey, including when things feel difficult.
Is this support for me?
We support people aged 12 and over who live, work, study or have a GP in the City of London or Hackney.
Your advisor will explain which support and quit aids are suitable for you.
Get free stop smoking supportWhat’s on in Stoptober 2026?
Take a look at the events taking place across City and Hackney…
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Coffee morning
Where: 102-110 Mare St, London E8 3SG
When: 10am - 12pm -
Wellbeing healthily lungs event
Where: Somerford Grove, London N16 7RZ
When: 1pm - 4pm -
Stop smoking service pop up
Where: Frampton Baptist church Frampton Park Rd, London E9 7PQ
When: 1pm - 3pm -
Homerton collaboration Stoptober outreach
Where: Homerton University Hospital, Homerton Row, E9 6SR
When: 2pm - 3.30pm———
Stop smoking and Public Health Van
Where: London Fields West Side, Hackney, E8 3RY
When: 1.30pm - 5pm -
Artisan Library food club stop smoking service pop up
Where: 1 Artisan Street E1 7AF
When: 12:30pm - 3pm
Quit Smoking Benefits
Myth Busting - Know the Facts
There’s so much said about smoking and mental wellbeing - here we bust the myths, using official guidance from The National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT).
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FALSE. Current evidence indicates that nicotine vapes are substantially less harmful than using tobacco, although they are unlikely to be risk-free. Vaping exposes users to far fewer toxins, significantly reducing health risks compared to smoking tobacco. Be cautious of illicit vapes which may contain unregulated ingredients.
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False. People living with SMI can quit successfully with the right tailored support, success rates are comparable to the general population. You are not “too unwell” to quit.
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FALSE. Evidence shows quitting smoking is associated with improvements in anxiety, depression and overall mental health compared with continuing to smoke.
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FALSE. The calm feeling from smoking is just a relief from withdrawal. It doesn’t help with stress. Quitting can help bring better sleep, more energy and healthier ways to manage feelings over time.
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TRUE. But change is possible. The higher smoking prevalence reflects systemic barriers, not a lack of willingness or ability to quit.
Real people. Real results
We listened to over 150 voices in City & Hackney including those living with severe mental illness or from the BAC communities. We gathered that support works best when it understands every part of a person. Many shared how smoking is tied to copying with stress and feelings, and that quitting is as much about emotional wellbeing as physical health. Real stories below show that with the right help, change is possible.
Tried before? Try again with us.
Join the Stoptober challenge and take the first step toward a smoke-free life. Whether you're quitting for your health, your family, or your future - we're here to help.
