Helping the smokers of Cumberland

Cumberland Council has introduced a clinically proven, drug-free intervention method to help residents quit smoking with ease through its Smokefree Cumberland service.

The Council has introduced Allen Carr’s Easyway method, an innovative approach that combines cognitive behavioural therapy with live group seminars.

The method is endorsed by both the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) for its effectiveness in helping smokers quit long-term.

In 2019, the government set an objective for England to be Smokefree by 2030, meaning only 5% of the population would smoke by then. This supports the government manifesto commitment to extend health life expectancy by five years by 2035.

As part of this objective, in 2023 the government published Stopping the start: our new plan to create a smokefree generation, which set out proposed actions the government will take to tackle smoking and youth vaping.

“Quitting smoking is one of the best things anyone can do for their health. It reduces the risk of serious diseases and helps to ease the strain on our healthcare services.

“The Allen Carr programme has already helped millions of people worldwide quit smoking for good. By offering this proven intervention to our residents, we hope to empower more people in Cumberland to break free from smoking and enjoy a healthier, smoke-free future. I urge all smokers in Cumberland to give it a try.”
Justin McDermotts
Cumberland Councillor and Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Communities