The Smokefree BNSSG Alliance is a cross-council, NHS and community partnership, supported by public contributors who bring lived experience and act as critical friends, with a shared goal of reducing adult smoking prevalence to below 5% by 2030.

Matt Lenny, director of public health for North Somerset Council and senior sponsor for the South West Smokefree Programme, said: ‘Being nominated for this award is a fantastic recognition of the collaborative effort behind the programme. Reducing smoking rates is critical to narrowing health inequalities, and this work shows what can be achieved when local partners come together with a shared commitment to improving lives.'

Local innovations to support people include the rapid expansion of stop smoking services, the £2.2m-funded Swap to Stop programme – with 4,872 quit dates and 872 confirmed quits, and NHS Treating Tobacco Dependency services integrated into maternity, inpatient, and mental health pathways.

Award winners will be announced in a ceremony on 19 June 2026.

You can find the full list of finalists here.