​​​​​​​Smokers offered added incentive to quit

Those signing up for the scheme get to choose from vouchers for membership to either the gym, fitness classes or swimming and can use their membership at any Everyone Active site offering the activities in the city, not just the one where they sign up.

They will also get help and support to quit from the Sunderland Specialist Stop Smoking Service (SSSS) - which now includes access to free vapes to aid quitting through the Sunderland Swap to Stop scheme.

Councillor Kelly Chequer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Safer Communities at Sunderland City Council, said: "The new year is a great time to quit smoking and start afresh. It's one of the best things you can do for your health, your wallet and your sense of wellbeing.

"So I'd encourage any smokers who want to quit - whether you have tried before or it's your first attempt, to take advantage of the free four week gym membership that this scheme offers while it's still available, especially as it also offers weekly tailored advice and support from our stop smoking service to help you plan and manage your quit attempt."

Cutting the rate of smoking is a key priority of Sunderland City Council's Healthy City Plan with the council committed to getting smoking rates down to 5 per cent by 2030, working in partnership with Fresh and the NHS.

Figures released in October also showed that the city recorded its lowest ever adult smoking rates in the most recently available data from the from the Office for National Statistics, with the proportion of adult smokers in Sunderland down to 12.3% in 2023 - just slightly higher than the North East average of 11 per cent.

The incentive scheme is being funded from the Local Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant provided by the Department for Health and Social Care to boost support to smokers to help them to quit

Everyone Active's centres in Sunderland include Sunderland Aquatic Centre, Raich Carter Sports Centre, Hetton Community Pool and Wellness Centre, Houghton Sports and Wellness Centre, Washington Leisure Centre and Silksworth Sports Complex and Ski Slope. Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre was named National Centre of the Year at October's ukactive Awards.

Ian Bradgate, Everyone Active's contract manager, said: "We hope many members of the local community will take advantage of this fantastic offer and we look forward to welcoming them. We have state-of-the-art leisure facilities across the Sunderland area where people can make huge improvements to their health and wellbeing, as well as meeting new people and having fun."

Amy Jenson-Boon, Service Lead for Sunderland Specialist Stop Smoking Service added: "This is a really exciting opportunity for those wanting to stop smoking to further increase their health and fitness levels. Just two weeks smokefree can improve your circulation, making physical activity much easier and enjoyable! Our service offers a range of free Nicotine Replacement Therapy including vapes, and with the added bonus of the free four-week gym voucher, this really is the best time to become a healthier version of yourself in 2025!"

Smokers interested in signing up for the scheme can find out more at: www.sunderlandstopsmokingservice.co.uk or by calling them on 0800 169 9913. 

With 150 vouchers available on a first come first served basis, people are being urged to apply as soon as possible to take advantage of the incentive scheme.