Let's Be Smokefree: supporting healthy, equitable communities across Hampshire

The Let’s Be Smokefree project was developed to create healthier, happier, and more resilient communities across Hampshire. Delivered by Action Hampshire and funded by Hampshire County Council, the Let’s Be Smokefree project has now reached its midway point in encouraging voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to support their local communities on their journey to quit smoking.

Smokefree Hampshire

While smoking rates across the UK have steadily declined over the years, tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable illness. Latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that around 7.7% of adults in Hampshire smoke, equating to roughly 152,000 residents across our towns and villages. Additional research suggests smoking disproportionately impacts lower-income households and vulnerable populations, serving as one of the single biggest drivers of health inequalities today.

We know that quitting isn't just about willpower; it requires the right support, encouragement, and trusted relationships. Local VCSE organisations are uniquely positioned to help by understanding the specific challenges communities face and know how to reach people who might not engage with traditional health services.

Quitting with the support of the community

By combining the local trust of the VCSE sector with professional stop-smoking resources, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity and support to live a smoke-free life.

Through our collaborative workshops, grant funding, and tailored direct support, participating organisations have achieved the following:

Drive community action - delivering creative, community-led activities that build knowledge and boost motivation to quit smoking.
Raise awareness - shining a light on wider tobacco control issues, including the dangers of passive smoking, health inequalities, and preventing young people's access to cigarettes.
Community support - provide essential peer support, signposting, and direct referrals to Smokefree Hampshire’s free, flexible stop smoking services.

As we look ahead to the second half of the project, we remain committed to supporting our local sector to build healthier, smoke-free communities. Read on to discover some of the highlights from our partner organisations so far.

How we supported VCSEs in Hampshire

Delivered Let’s Be Smokefree workshops for VCSEs to increase awareness of smoking harms and available support
Provided additional training, Very Basic Advice (VBA) - a technique used to promote quitting using Ask, Advise, Act - and Share & Learn networking sessions
Trained VCSE organisations on how to make referrals to Smokefree Hampshire services.

Building capacity

Provided free resources and toolkits to help organisations manage their own Smokefree activities
Supported networks between participating VCSE organisations and delivery services.
Built confidence among community organisations to have quit-smoking conversations.

Here’s how VCSEs have been implementing the campaign

Following the initial kick-off workshops, it was time for the participating Hampshire VCSE organisations to start planning their own Smokefree campaigns. Here are just some of the comments we've received from the organisations who took part:

"Through our regular contact, we are well placed to identify what is working well, the barriers individuals may be facing, and the changes that could make services more accessible, inclusive, and effective. By actively listening to people with lived experience, we can ensure that services are shaped by real-world experiences and needs rather than assumptions."

"Regular conversations, feedback opportunities, peer support discussions, and informal check-ins provide valuable insights into the challenges individuals face when accessing services, maintaining healthy lifestyles, and engaging with support."

VCSE's making a difference with The Action Hampshire Way

There have been some fantastic activity ideas from VCSE's on how best to engage with their own communities. Here are just some of the campaign activity examples and their feedback:

"The plan is to organise art therapy, breathing exercises, and physical activities including a dance workshop with a plan to run the campaign alongside our financial resilience project"

"We're going to be doing some pop-up walking sessions for people within that area because, after talking to people, there is a stigma around smoking. If they can see that there's something visual that they can go to, they might be a little bit more forthcoming"

Our impact

Nearly two-thirds (62%) of current smokers said they were likely to attempt to stop smoking after taking part in a Let’s Be Smokefree activity, demonstrating the positive impact VCSE organisations are having within their communities.

This chart shows current smokers’ responses to the question: "As a result of taking part in this 'Let's be Smokefree' activity, how likely are you to attempt to stop smoking?”

Quote from one community participant: "I was hoping to quit within this year, and this gave me the push I needed - I have already signed up"

"A few of the people in one of the sessions were against the presentation at the beginning, by the end one person signed up and one put his cigarettes straight in the bin and said he found the presentation powerful and he is happy I went on this course to give out this information."

Let’s Be Smokefree together, Hampshire

Looking back at what has been achieved so far, the response across Hampshire has been fantastic. We would like to send a huge thank you to all the VCSE organisations who have engaged with the project so far. Your hard work, enthusiasm, and incredible creativity in designing and delivering your own unique campaigns have made a real, tangible difference.

The journey towards a Smokefree Hampshire is not being driven by one organisation alone. It is being powered by charities, community groups, social enterprises and volunteers across the county who are helping people take positive steps towards better health every day. If you would like to find out more about the Let’s Be Smokefree project or other health related projects hosted by Action Hampshire, you can contact us at besmokefree@actionhampshire.org