Following a successful trial in Barrow in 2023, places on a free, clinically proven intervention to help people quit smoking will be returning to the Westmorland and Furness area.

The returning funded programmes are helping to support the council’s ambition to be “smoke-free” by 2030.

Last year a limited number of places were available to residents in Barrow which was identified as having the highest number of smokers in the area (21%) when compared with South Lakeland (10%) and Eden (11%) areas, according to the ONS.

The trial showed positive results and after 4 weeks, over 50% of the group were no longer smoking.

The programme is Allen Carr’s Easyway (ACE) and involves online seminars or videos lasting for 5-6 hours. Shorter backup sessions, telephone support, and email support are provided for the minority who require them. It can also be accessed easily via smartphones, tablets, or laptops so no-one needs to leave their home.

The programme is endorsed by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence as a drug free way of stopping smoking. Published studies have shown that ACE can help 1 in 2 smokers kick the habit long-term and has already helped an estimated 50 million people quit smoking over the last 40 years.

One participant on last years’ course said of her success: “Four weeks in, I’m not smoking [after] over 50 years smoking! I think the Allen Carr method is virtually miraculous, there’s no chance of me smoking again.”

Cllr Patricia Bell, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Care, said: “We were really pleased to see the success of the pilot scheme that ran last year. There were some brilliant results for residents which is why are delighted to support this scheme again to help people stop smoking for good.

It is a council priority to make Westmorland and Furness “Smoke Free by 2030” and by offering innovative smoking cessation support, such as Allen Carr’s Easyway, we can help keep the population healthy and thriving.”

There are a limited number of places available with the programme which are expected to fill fast.

Smoking cessation is also being offered through local pharmacies, so for those who might not be successful in getting onto the ACE programme, there are other methods available locally which also have very high success rates.

The courses can be booked by visiting the Allen Carr Easyway wesbite.