Fresh was the UK's first dedicated regional programme set up in the North East in 2005 to tackle the worst rates of smoking related illness and death in England.
Smoking is our biggest avoidable killer - more than alcohol, accidents, suicide, illegal drugs and diabetes combined and a massive drain on the NHS and economy. The source of this is the tobacco industry which sells and promotes an addictive product.
Fresh works with the regional media to ensure that the benefits of quitting, the harm of smoking, and tobacco issues are kept in the public eye all year round.
If you are a professional in the North East working in the field of tobacco prevention please join our Tobacco Control Alliances section on the Knowledge Hub
If you are interested in work around illegal tobacco visit
Smokers across the North East are being encouraged to give themselves an instant pay rise this summer by quitting – with stop smoking services also supporting people using electronic cigarettes as part of their quit attempt.
From hidden holes above light fittings to secret drawers and hollow doors - these are some of the concealed compartments that have been used to store illegal tobacco across the North East.
North East children will be given one of the strongest reasons yet never to smoke after a conclusive vote in the House of Lords that will mean cigarettes sold in plain, standardised packs.
Fresh has congratulated North East MPs who today voted in favour of plain, standardised tobacco packaging – and said the move will help make cigarettes history for more children.
The North East has 118,000 fewer people smoking than a decade ago – and smokers are being encouraged to make this No Smoking Day (11 March) their day to quit for good.
Ambitious plans to cut smoking rates to 5% across the North East by 2025 has been backed by health and local government leaders and young people in the region.