Londoners are increasingly engaging with stop smoking services late at night, according to new data from a London-wide digital stop smoking service, Smoke Free, backed by all 33 local authorities.
More than half of users of the 24 hour Smoke Free service contacted advisors outside standard clinic hours, with many reaching out in the evening, overnight and at weekends, via remote in-app messaging. This demonstrates strong demand for flexible, round the clock support that complements existing services by providing additional access points for people who are unable to engage during traditional hours or who face barriers to accessing traditional services.
Originally commissioned as a pilot through the London Tobacco Alliance, the service has since become a core part of the capital’s stop smoking offer, with all local authorities continuing to fund access through to 2027. The news is a further boost to the UK’s efforts to become a smoke free nation, following the recent passing of the Tobacco and Vapes Act in parliament, which will make it illegal from 1st January 2027 to sell tobacco to people born after 1st January 2009.
The pilot offer began in November 2024, when 2,500 Londoners were given free access to the established Smoke Free app, alongside behavioural support, nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), and other quit aids including vapes.
The pilot proved highly successful, with more than 2,500 people who smoke taking up the offer and uptake recorded across every London local authority. It also increased the capacity of London’s wider stop smoking system by an estimated 10 percent.
Its impact was felt immediately at a local level. One London borough had a long waiting list for stop smoking services which was eliminated entirely after the app was introduced, with the local service describing it as “an absolute godsend”.
A key aim was to understand whether digital support could reach communities less likely to use face-to-face services.
The data shows clear demand for flexible access. 53% of people used the service out of regular service hours (between 5pm and 9am), while around one in five registered at weekends. This demonstrates that a flexible complimentary service is attractive to Londoners who smoke.
The service has successfully engaged younger adults and LGBTQ+ communities, demonstrating how digital support can provide a more accessible route to quitting for people who prefer online services. One user said: “What stands out is how people are using the service, often in the evenings, at weekends and late at night when traditional support is unavailable.
We are also seeing strong uptake from groups less likely to attend face-to-face services, showing the digital offer is reaching people who prefer a flexible digital offer.”
As London works towards its smoke free ambition, the programme highlights how coordinated leadership, sustained investment and close cross-sector collaboration can broaden access, ease pressure on frontline services and reach people who might otherwise go unsupported.