2025 PM Plenary Seminars

Since 2021 'opt-out' tobacco dependency treatment services have been introduced to almost every NHS hospital in-patient setting and maternity service, driving down smoking related health inequality by providing access to treatment. To have a greater impact still we could improve the reach and effectiveness of our services.  The opportunity to reach more people may arise via new settings to provide opt-out treatment such as ED, out-patients, community mental health, screening programmes as well as using a multiplicity of treatment providers including digital solutions, Community Pharmacy alongside well established local government stop smoking services. Systematically applying Quality Improvement through formal QI programmes or Accreditation processes  could substantially improve outcomes for our patients and the impact of our new services. A very exciting time indeed!

This presentation outlines a comprehensive, system-wide approach to achieve the 2030 Smokefree ambition of less than 5% smoking prevalence. It proposes strategies including campaigns, targeted support for underserved communities, and strengthened connections with primary care. The shared ambition aims to normalise quitting and ensure non-judgmental, evidence-based support is available to all smokers.

The presentation will consider the importance of smoker insights in informing our communications, and will explore the role this has in helping to reduce our biggest cause of disease and death and make a case for the vision of a Smokefree future.

As we consider the end of smoking and the challenges ahead, Ailsa will share the North East’s collective vision for a smokefree future, free from death & disease from tobacco, that is needed, wanted and workable.  As a smoking survivor and campaigner Sue’s keynote will highlight why working towards a smokefree future matters.