Stoptober 2026 - the year you quit? 10 Sep 2026 Resources to help smokers to quit and grants for community activities

Residents may be aware that each October there is a national campaign to encourage smokers to quit. ‘Stoptober’ for 2026 has a theme of ‘Let’s quit smoking together’ and seeks to recognise how a smoker’s family, friends and community can play a role in supporting their abstinence.

We’d encourage residents who are trying to quit smoking to review some of the resources available. Our local stop-smoking service is Smoke Free Oxon (Smoke Free Oxon – A Stop Smoking Service), which has a lot of useful resources. There is also an NHS Quit Smoking app or a free NHS Personal Quit Plan available at  Quit smoking - Better Health - NHS

Local groups and organisations are able to apply for money to fund activities that help create smoke-free places, encourage smokers to quit and reduce exposure to second-hand smoke.

The Smokefree Community Fund will provide grants of up to £1,000 for community activities in October and beyond. The funded activities can include community art works, organising an awareness event or simply installing signs around a local venue.

More information about the Fund can be found in the document at the bottom of the page, which can also be accessed online here. The application form is available here: Smokefree Community Fund Application Form | Let's Talk Oxfordshire The funding pot is limited, so early application is advised! Email Charlotte, a Health Improvement Practitioner with the County Council, to discuss your application and get all your questions answered before you apply. She can be contacted on [email protected]

If you’re going to try and quit smoking this October, we wish you luck! People who manage to get through 28 days without smoking are five times more likely to successfully quit permanently. Take on the Stoptober challenge!