People across Dorset are being encouraged to think about the moments that matter most to them, as a major regional campaign launches to help more people stop smoking for good.

The campaign, called “What Will You Miss?”, comes as Dorset’s Health and Wellbeing Board endorses the principles of the South West Smoke-Free Charter and ahead of this year’s Stoptober campaign. Together, the initiatives aim to help more people quit smoking, reduce health inequalities and create healthier communities across Dorset.

At the heart of the campaign is a simple question for the thousands of people in Dorset who still smoke: what will you miss?

Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of illness and early death. While rates have fallen over recent decades, smoking continues to have a significant impact on local people, families and services. It is estimated to cost Dorset around £270 million every year through healthcare and social care costs, unemployment, lost earnings and other smoking-related harms.

The South West Smoke-Free Charter brings together councils, NHS organisations and other partners with a shared ambition to reduce smoking rates to below five per cent by 2030. The Charter focuses on preventing young people from taking up smoking, supporting people to quit, creating smoke-free environments and tackling health inequalities.

The announcement comes 100 days before new smokefree generation legislation takes effect on 1 January 2027. The law is designed to stop future generations from starting smoking by making it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. While the law will help protect future generations, local partners say support for people who smoke today remains essential.

Cllr. Matt Bell, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention and Communities, said:

“Smoking is still one of the biggest causes of preventable illness and early death in Dorset, and it affects some communities far more than others.

“Most people who smoke want to stop, and many have already tried more than once. We know quitting can be difficult, but the right support can make a real difference.

“The ‘What Will You Miss?’ campaign encourages people to think about the moments, people and experiences that matter most to them. Stopping smoking is one of the best things anyone can do for their health and wellbeing.

“By supporting the South West Smoke-Free Charter and continuing to invest in local stop smoking support, we’re helping more Dorset residents take that first step towards a healthier future. The support is free, local and available now.”

Cllr Steve Robinson, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said:

“Many people in Dorset are still living with health conditions caused or made worse by smoking. Preventing illness before it happens is one of the biggest opportunities we have to help people live healthier, more independent lives and that’s why Supporting people to quit smoking is so important. It improves health, reduces inequalities and helps ensure local health and care services can focus their resources where they are needed most.

“The message is simple: if you’re thinking about quitting, help is available and you don’t have to do it on your own.”

Research with more than 1,600 people who smoke across the South West found that improving health and fitness and reducing the risk of future health conditions are among the strongest reasons for wanting to quit. However, around two-thirds of people who smoke are either not currently considering quitting or have no plans to stop within the next three months. The campaign aims to encourage more people to take positive action and connect them with proven support services.

People who want to stop smoking can access free support through LiveWell Dorset. Evidence shows people are up to three times more likely to quit successfully when they use specialist stop smoking support and proven quitting aids

To find out more about stopping smoking, visit

People across Dorset are being encouraged to think about the moments that matter most to them, as a major regional campaign launches to help more people stop smoking for good.

The campaign, called “What Will You Miss?”, comes as Dorset’s Health and Wellbeing Board endorses the principles of the South West Smoke-Free Charter and ahead of this year’s Stoptober campaign. Together, the initiatives aim to help more people quit smoking, reduce health inequalities and create healthier communities across Dorset.

At the heart of the campaign is a simple question for the thousands of people in Dorset who still smoke: what will you miss?

Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of illness and early death. While rates have fallen over recent decades, smoking continues to have a significant impact on local people, families and services. It is estimated to cost Dorset around £270 million every year through healthcare and social care costs, unemployment, lost earnings and other smoking-related harms.

The South West Smoke-Free Charter brings together councils, NHS organisations and other partners with a shared ambition to reduce smoking rates to below five per cent by 2030. The Charter focuses on preventing young people from taking up smoking, supporting people to quit, creating smoke-free environments and tackling health inequalities.

The announcement comes 100 days before new smokefree generation legislation takes effect on 1 January 2027. The law is designed to stop future generations from starting smoking by making it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. While the law will help protect future generations, local partners say support for people who smoke today remains essential.

Cllr. Matt Bell, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Prevention and Communities, said:

“Smoking is still one of the biggest causes of preventable illness and early death in Dorset, and it affects some communities far more than others.

“Most people who smoke want to stop, and many have already tried more than once. We know quitting can be difficult, but the right support can make a real difference.

“The ‘What Will You Miss?’ campaign encourages people to think about the moments, people and experiences that matter most to them. Stopping smoking is one of the best things anyone can do for their health and wellbeing.

“By supporting the South West Smoke-Free Charter and continuing to invest in local stop smoking support, we’re helping more Dorset residents take that first step towards a healthier future. The support is free, local and available now.”

Cllr Steve Robinson, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said:

“Many people in Dorset are still living with health conditions caused or made worse by smoking. Preventing illness before it happens is one of the biggest opportunities we have to help people live healthier, more independent lives and that’s why Supporting people to quit smoking is so important. It improves health, reduces inequalities and helps ensure local health and care services can focus their resources where they are needed most.

“The message is simple: if you’re thinking about quitting, help is available and you don’t have to do it on your own.”

Research with more than 1,600 people who smoke across the South West found that improving health and fitness and reducing the risk of future health conditions are among the strongest reasons for wanting to quit. However, around two-thirds of people who smoke are either not currently considering quitting or have no plans to stop within the next three months. The campaign aims to encourage more people to take positive action and connect them with proven support services.

People who want to stop smoking can access free support through LiveWell Dorset. Evidence shows people are up to three times more likely to quit successfully when they use specialist stop smoking support and proven quitting aids

To find out more about stopping smoking visit www.livewelldorset.co.uk/stop-smoking/