Sarah Hepworth

Health Improvement Principal, Sheffield Tobacco Control Strategy Lead

Sheffield City Council

Biography

Sarah has worked in tobacco control for over 24 years, in various roles and is passionate about implementing genuine system-wide, comprehensive tobacco control at a population level, to drive down smoking prevalence and reduce health inequalities. Sarah has led the Sheffield Tobacco Control Partnership since 2017, achieving significant reductions in adult smoking prevalence which have reduced by 30%, with prevalence dropping from 17.6% to 10.3% in 2024. She has significant experience in working in local government and the NHS and Voluntary sector at a senior level locally, regionally, and nationally to influence and shape policy on tobacco control.  In June 2023, the Sheffield Tobacco Control programme won the National Local Government Chronicle award in the Public Health Category, in recognition of the innovative and collaborative approach.

Sarah has also led the development of a range of evidenced based educational vaping resources for schools, parents and children and young people in collaboration with ASH and local, regional, and national colleagues, which were published in Feb 2022, and these are currently being utilised Local Authorities across the country. In March 2024 Sarah became the Associate Director of South Yorkshire Tobacco Alliance and is heading up the development of this regional programme. Sarah also has a keen interest in commercial determinants of health.