Wednesday 11th March marks National No Smoking Day, a campaign supported by the Department of Health and Social Care that encourages smokers to take the first step towards quitting and highlights the support available to help them succeed.
To mark the day, we spoke with Holly Kilburn – Stop Smoking Ambassador, about her role and the support available for people who want to quit.
What does your role as a Stop Smoking Ambassador involve?
“My role as a Stop Smoking Ambassador involves both supporting healthcare professionals to deliver effective smoking cessation support and delivering that support directly to patients myself. I help make sure colleagues feel confident having conversations about smoking and know how to refer or treat appropriately. Alongside that, I work directly with patients to support them through their quit journey, from setting a quit date to managing cravings and follow-ups.”
How do you support colleagues and patients who want to stop smoking?
“With patients, I provide structured support to help them stop smoking. This includes helping them choose the right treatment, setting a quit date and reviewing their progress regularly. We also talk through triggers, cravings and strategies to manage difficult moments.
With colleagues, I help build confidence in raising the topic of smoking with patients, understanding treatment options and knowing when and how to refer. Sometimes this involves sharing updates, answering questions or encouraging brief interventions in everyday practice.”
Are there common challenges when people try to stop smoking?
“Cravings, stress, routine habits and social triggers are common challenges. Some people can also feel discouraged if they’ve tried to quit before and it hasn’t worked.
Often life events or emotional responses can lead someone to start smoking again – and that’s actually very common. What’s important is remembering that support is available whenever someone feels ready to try again.”
What help is available for someone who wants to quit?
“There is free, evidence-based support available through local stop smoking services. This includes behavioural support and treatments such as nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges and inhalators), as well as medications where appropriate.
Combining behavioural support with treatment gives people the best chance of quitting successfully. There is also a free NHS app available for those who prefer a visual way to track their progress.”
Why is National No Smoking Day important?
“No Smoking Day is important because it raises awareness and encourages people to think about quitting. It also highlights the support available and reminds healthcare professionals to have those important conversations.”
What inspired you to take on this role?
“Working in healthcare and having experience withing a respiratory ward, you see how much smoking impacts people’s health, but you also see how powerful the right support can be. I wanted to be involved in something practical that genuinely improves long-term health. Helping someone stop smoking is one of the most effective interventions we can offer.”
Holly’s message for anyone thinking about quitting
“You don’t have to quit on your own. The right support and treatment can make a big difference. Even if you’ve tried before, this attempt could be the one that works.”
Stop smoking support is one of the most impactful ways we can improve long-term health.
Free help is available through local stop smoking services, where people can receive structured behavioural support alongside treatments to help manage cravings and withdrawal.
If you would like to learn more about local support available to patients, please visit the Coventry and Warwickshire Smoke Free website