Hounslow Council Giving Free Help to Quit Smoking
‘Swap to Stop’ scheme offers vapes as an alternative
Public health experts say vaping can be an effective tool for quitting smoking. Picture: Hounslow Council
January 12, 2026
Hounslow Council has launched a new scheme offering free vape kits to help adult smokers quit cigarettes, as part of a national NHS-backed drive to reduce smoking-related harm.
The Swap to Stop programme is now available to smokers aged 18 and over who live in the borough. Participants receive a free vape starter kit and related products for six weeks, with the aim of helping them switch from tobacco to a significantly less harmful alternative.
The initiative arrives at a time when many people are looking to build healthier habits for the New Year. Public health experts say vaping can be an effective tool for quitting smoking, and the scheme is designed to support residents who want to make that change.
Swap to Stop forms part of a wider national campaign encouraging smokers to replace cigarettes with vaping. While nicotine is addictive, it is not the main cause of smoking-related disease; the serious harm comes from the tar and toxic chemicals released when tobacco burns. Because vaping does not involve combustion, it is considered far less harmful. A 2022 UK government report concluded that “in the short and medium term, vaping poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking”.
Residents who feel they need additional help can also access Healthy Hounslow’s free stop smoking service, which is open to anyone who lives, works, studies or has a GP in the borough. The service offers personalised support and guidance to help people quit for good.
Councillor Lily Bath, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Transformation, said the council was committed to helping residents improve their health.
“Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health, which is why we’re doing everything possible to support people to take that step,” she said. “Swap to Stop is about harm reduction and helping people take the first step to a smoke-free life. And if you feel you need a bit of professional help to get you over the line, our Healthy Hounslow service is there to help you.
“However you want to stop smoking, we can help you. It’s just one of the ways we’re delivering for the residents of Hounslow – helping them to lead longer and healthier lives.”
More information about the scheme is available on the council’s website.
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