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
Four local authorities, including Northumberland county council, Durham, North Tyneside and Newcastle, have introduced smokefree stretches of pavement where bars, restaurants and cafes are licensed to put out tables.
Fresh has called for bold new measures to protect young people from smoking including increasing age of sale to 21 in time for World No Tobacco Day (May 31).
Just six weeks – that's all it can take for quitting smoking to boost your mood and mental health according to new research published in time for No Smoking Day (Wed 10 March).
FRESH and a respiratory doctor from the North East have welcomed a major new national report which highlights how vaping could help people quit smoking.