London Smoke Free Councillor Network
Supporting councillors to help make London Smoke Free
"It took me ten attempts to quit and I'm determined to make it easier for London smokers today."
Councillor Chris Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care, Voluntary Sector and Culture, Hackney Wick Ward, London Borough of Hackney.
The London Tobacco Alliance Smoke Free Councillor Network brings together councillors from across London who want to reduce the harm caused by tobacco and support residents to quit.
Councillors play an important role in tackling smoking, the leading cause of preventable illness and death and reducing health inequalities in local communities. By working together across boroughs and political parties, the network helps keep tobacco control high on the agenda and supports London’s ambition to become Smokefree by 2030.
The network sits within the London Tobacco Alliance’s wider work, which brings together partners from local government, the NHS, academia and the voluntary sector to accelerate progress on tobacco control across London.
Benefits of the network
Members of the Smoke Free Councillor Network receive:
- Updates on tobacco control policy and emerging issues
- Briefings and resources to support local action
- Opportunities to share learning and good practice with councillors across London
- Invitations to network meetings and discussions
- Support to champion stop smoking services and campaigns in their boroughs
The network also connects with the national Smokefree Councillor Network, coordinated by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).
Why councillor leadership matters
Local government plays a key role in creating environments that support people to quit smoking and prevent young people from starting.
Councillors can help by:
- Championing local stop smoking support
- Supporting strong local tobacco control strategies
- Promoting campaigns that encourage residents to quit
- Helping address smoking-related health inequalities
Through the London Tobacco Alliance and Stop Smoking London, partners across London are working together to share best practice and strengthen tobacco control and access to stop smoking services across the city.
Support for residents who want to quit
Councillors can help residents access free support to stop smoking, including:
- Local stop smoking services
- Digital support through Stop Smoking London and the Smoke Free App
- London-specific campaigns including Stop Smoking London LGBTQ+ Week, London Smoking and Mental Health Week, London Smoking and Pregnancy Week and national quit campaigns like No Smoking Day and Stoptober.
Together we are supporting a healthier future for Londoners.
