Around 650,000 people in Scotland are being urged to quit tobacco as part of No Smoking Day on Wednesday, 11th March 2026.
The call comes from health charity ASH Scotland, Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government as part of the national “Quit and Win” No Smoking Day campaign.
Health experts say giving up smoking can improve health, wellbeing and finances.
The campaign highlights that the average smoker who quits tobacco could save around £3,332 in a year. Quitting can also reduce anxiety, lower the risk of coronary heart disease and cut the risk of lung cancer by half within ten years.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said:
“There is an average of 172 preventable smoking-attributable deaths in Scotland every week, with people in our poorest communities among those most affected.
“Free expert advice offered by NHS Scotland’s Quit Your Way services, however, can improves the chances of quit smoking success by three to four times. We encourage everyone who wants to live tobacco-free to mark No Smoking Day by reaching for Quit Your Way’s specialist support which is the best thing to do to improve health, wellbeing and personal finances.”
Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said people who smoke should consider using No Smoking Day as the starting point for quitting.
She said: “If you are a smoker, please let this No Smoking Day be the start of your journey to a tobacco-free future. I know that quitting is hard but, in Scotland, there is free support available through the NHS stop smoking service Quit Your Way.
“The website offers expert advice and you will be directed to local services where you can access a range of free support, medications and products.”
Dr Garth Reid, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland, said giving up smoking remains one of the most important steps people can take to improve their health.
He said: “Smoking is one of the biggest causes of ill health and premature death in Scotland. Giving up smoking is the best thing you can do for your health, and the benefits start to happen quickly – even for people who have smoked for a long time.”
People who want help to stop smoking can contact QuitYourWay.scot or call the free helpline on 0800 848484.