Wigan Borough smokers set to start their quitting journey this No Smoking Day
James Duffy and his Be Well health advisor Louise at Hindley Library
Smokers from all over the borough will be starting their journey to better health this month as the UK celebrates No Smoking Day.
Held on the second Wednesday of March each year, the annual awareness event aims to inspire people up and down the country to give up tobacco for good.
And this year the local Be Well Stop Smoking Service is inviting those thinking of quitting to set Wednesday 11 March 2026 as their official quit date.
To boost their chances of success, smokers are also encouraged to visit the Be Well Stop Smoking website (external link) and sign up for free ongoing support from its team of friendly, expert health advisors.
Councillor Keith Cunliffe, deputy leader of Wigan Council and cabinet portfolio holder for adult social care and health, said: “If you’re a smoker, quitting is one of the very best things you can do for your health – reducing your risk of cancers, heart attacks, strokes and other serious long-term conditions. It also protects your family, friends and others around you, as well as saving you money.
“There’s no ‘right’ or ‘perfect’ time to stop, but there’s no better time than No Smoking Day when lots of other people will be quitting too. It can certainly help to know you’re not alone and that others are on the same journey you are.
“Research also shows you’re far more likely to succeed with the right support, and that’s why we’re urging smokers who want to quit to get in touch with our free Be Well Stop Smoking Service.
“It doesn’t matter how long you’ve smoked for, or if you’ve tried to quit before and haven’t succeeded… our Be Well health advisors have already supported well over a thousand residents on their own smoke-free journeys and they are here to help you too!”
Launched in October 2024, the Be Well Stop Smoking Service works closely with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, community groups and Wigan Council’s public health team as part of the borough’s Smoke Free Wigan Partnership.
And it’s proven highly effective with more than 60 per cent of the 1,295 people who set a quit date reaching the NHS’s four-week quit standard, while more than half have maintained their quit for at least 12 weeks.
They include married couple Vicky and Wayne Coleman from Pemberton, who recently celebrated a full year without cigarettes having smoked since their teens.
Vicky, 47, who was referred to the service after being diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), said: “I feel really proud that we’ve gone a full year without cigarettes. It’s quite an accomplishment really.
“The Be Well Stop Smoking Service really helped us, especially me, because I’ve never had much willpower before. My advisor really helped me with my motivation.
“My health is a lot better than it was. I don’t have as many chest infections as I used to and it’s a lot more manageable. It’s made a big difference.”
The support on offer from Be Well includes free access to a range of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) options such as inhalators, patches and gums, plus ongoing advice and encouragement from health advisors at convenient community locations.
James Duffy, 36, who has now been smoke-free for more than four months after quitting with the help of weekly appointments at Hindley Library, said: “Stopping smoking with Be Well has been the best choice of my life.
“I’ve tried to quit before but I’ve never had the right support. To be able to actually go somewhere and speak to someone and talk about when things are getting on top of me and I feel like I'm going to start smoking again, it feels like having a friend you can speak to.
“I’m truly so happy to be able to say that I don't even feel like I want to smoke anymore. I can't even say thank you enough.”
Susan Cross, 68, who managed to quit after 55 years by attending similar drop-in sessions at Ashton Leisure Centre, said: “I’d recommend anyone who is trying to quit to get in touch with Be Well. They are great!”
Smokers in Wigan Borough now also have another convenient option to help them stop smoking following the launch of Quit Coach – a digital stop smoking assistant that works through WhatsApp.
Designed for those who need or prefer virtual support, Quit Coach can give guidance, encouragement, and personalised tips and advice direct to your phone or device. Smokers can also use it to request quitting aids.
To find out more about the Be Well Stop Smoking Service or Quit Coach, call 01942 828535 or visit the Be Well Stop Smoking website (external link).
Posted on Monday 2nd March 2026