Smoking has a significant economic impact in Wiltshire, costing £345 million annually, with a major financial burden on the NHS and Social care. Smoking-related hospital admissions and primary care treatments in Wiltshire cost £14 million per year (ASH, 2025). One in four patients in a hospital bed is a smoker and smokers also see their GP 35% more than non-smokers (PHE, 2017).
In Wiltshire there are 44,000 adult smokers that we know about, which is 10.6% of our population. Smoking kills 2 out of 3 long term smokers, and in Wiltshire, around 9 people every week die from a smoking related illness. (ASH, 2025). The best thing we can do is let residents know they are not alone, and that support is available for their tobacco addiction when they are ready to quit.
Two referral pathways for support are:
- Health Coaches – up to 12 weeks weekly free 1:1 behaviour support and access to free stop smoking medication. Appointments can be face to face, phone, or video call. Anyone under 18 can also have support to stop vaping.
- Smoke Free App – a free digital offer for anyone that lives or works in Wiltshire. The support from trained advisors – the same as our Health Coaches – is available 24/7 by phone, email, or text support. It’s a great option for people who cannot, or don’t want to access support from a Health Coach. Any Wiltshire resident that signs up can get free nicotine replacement posted to their home address or, for adults, a vape code to be redeemed online with our trusted partners. The advisors from the app review all available options with each new user, providing daily check-ins to monitor their progress. This feature has proven to be extremely popular.
Smokefree Wiltshire - Wiltshire Council