March 09, 2026 - 203 views
A new mobile app offering free, bilingual support to help people quit smoking has launched across Wales, providing a new digital tool for smokers in North Wales who want to stop.
Developed by Public Health Wales, the Help Me Quit (HMQ) app offers personalised guidance and support for people trying to give up smoking, including those who may prefer not to access traditional stop smoking services.
The app launched on No Smoking Day on 11 March 2026, a national campaign designed to encourage smokers to take the first step towards a healthier, smoke-free life.
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease among adults over 35 in Wales, responsible for around 3,845 deaths each year — roughly 10 per cent of all deaths in that age group — as well as more than 17,000 hospital admissions annually.
Across North Wales, health officials have long highlighted smoking as a major public health challenge. According to data from Public Health Wales, around one in seven adults in Wales still smoke, although rates have steadily declined over the past decade.
In parts of North Wales, including areas of Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire, smoking rates can be higher than the national average, particularly in more deprived communities — a factor closely linked to poorer health outcomes such as heart disease, stroke and cancer.
Health leaders say tools like the new app could make it easier for people to access support whenever they need it.
Chris Emmerson, a consultant in public health at Public Health Wales, said the digital service was designed to put proven stop-smoking support directly into people’s hands.
He said many smokers want to quit but often attempt to do so without help, even though evidence shows that people are far more likely to succeed when they use specialist NHS stop smoking services.
“The Help Me Quit app brings evidence-based behavioural support directly into people’s hands—whenever and wherever they need it,” he said.
The bilingual app allows users to set a quit date, track when they smoke, record personal motivations for quitting and monitor their progress over time.
It also includes practical tools such as a calculator showing how much money users save after quitting and the health improvements they can expect, along with motivational videos designed to help people deal with cravings and common triggers.
The app also connects users directly with specialist Help Me Quit advisors, providing an additional route into the national stop smoking programme.
Jim McManus, executive director of health and wellbeing at Public Health Wales, said the digital platform would complement existing services.
He said the app could act as a starting point for anyone thinking about stopping smoking, whether they are ready to quit immediately or simply exploring their options.
Health officials say creating environments where tobacco and vaping products are less visible and less socially accepted is also key to helping people quit and preventing younger generations from starting.
The app will continue to be developed using feedback from users as part of wider efforts in Wales to reduce smoking rates and improve long-term health outcomes.
The app is available by searching for Help Me Quit (HMQ) on Android and Apple app stores.
Visit Help Me Quit Wales for more help and support.
