Smoking and Mental Health Week, 2 – 6 June 2025
Smoking and Mental Health Week will run from 2–6 June 2025, shining a light on the high rates of smoking among people with mental health conditions and encouraging collaboration across the health and care sector to support people to quit.
This new awareness week has been developed by London Tobacco Alliance and Stop Smoking London in partnership with local organisations across London.
It’s designed to help more people understand the link between smoking and mental health, highlight the support available and drive positive change.
Why this campaign matters
Smoking rates among people with a mental health condition remain far higher than in the general population. In London, an estimated:
- 26% of adults experiencing stress and anxiety smoke
- 45% of adults with a serious mental illness smoke
People with mental health conditions are also more likely to be heavily nicotine dependent, which puts them at greater risk of smoking-related harm. Many report using tobacco as a way to manage stress – but evidence shows the calming effect of nicotine is temporary and over time, smoking can worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression.
This campaign aims to:
- Raise awareness of the impact of smoking on mental health
- Make it easier for people with mental health conditions to find quit support
- Challenge common myths about smoking and stress
- Highlight the mental health benefits of quitting
- Encourage dialogue among healthcare professionals
Campaign timeline and themes
The week will follow a daily theme to focus attention and drive engagement:
- Monday 2 June – Campaign launch and overview
- Tuesday 3 June – Sharing lived experience
- Wednesday 4 June – Accessing support to quit
- Thursday 5 June – Smoking and stress
- Friday 6 June – Taking local action
Get involved: Download the campaign toolkit
The toolkit includes:
- Downloadable social media graphics and suggested posts
- Campaign briefing and key messages
Download the toolkit and assets
New video content
Videos featuring a smoking cessation nurse, a leading mental health clinician, and a woman with lived experience of quitting will be published in the week leading up to the campaign. These will be hosted on the London Tobacco Alliance YouTube channel for you to share on social media.
New website content
To make it easier to find support, Stop Smoking London has launched a new page dedicated to smoking and mental health. This includes key facts, links to support, and downloadable campaign materials – with more content coming soon.
Join the conversation
Share the assets and messaging across your social media channels. Use and follow the hashtag #LDNSmoking&MH across social media to join the conversation.