Stoptober 2026: What the Options Are

Stoptober 2026 runs from Thursday 1 October to Saturday 31 October. It is a 28-day stop smoking challenge run by the Department of Health and Social Care in England and delivered through the NHS Better Health service, and it has run every October since 2012.

This page explains what the campaign involves and what free support is available. It is written as an overview rather than as advice. If you are thinking about stopping smoking, the NHS Better Health service, your pharmacist, your GP and your local stop smoking service are the right places to go, and all of that support is free.

Key takeaways

• Stoptober 2026 runs from 1 to 31 October, starting on Thursday 1 October
• It is a 28-day challenge run by the Department of Health and Social Care through NHS Better Health
• Evidence indicates people who stop for 28 days are around five times more likely to stop for good
• Free support includes the NHS Quit Smoking app, a personal quit plan and daily emails
• The NHS recognises nicotine replacement therapy and vaping among its quit tools
• Nicotine pouches are a consumer product, not a licensed quit aid, and are not part of the NHS pathway
• Local stop smoking services, pharmacies and GP practices all take part

What is Stoptober?

Stoptober is an annual mass quit attempt. The premise is straightforward: commit to going smoke-free for the 28 days of the challenge, on the basis that reaching that milestone makes stopping for good considerably more likely.

The campaign launched in 2012 and was the first mass quit attempt of its kind in the UK. Government figures indicate more than two million quit attempts have been made through it since.

It is worth noting that Stoptober is about smoking, not drinking. The alcohol-free campaign that shares the month is Sober October, which is a separate charity initiative.
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What free support is available?

Signing up through NHS Better Health gives access to a package of support at no cost.

Evidence consistently indicates that people who use support are more likely to succeed than those who attempt to stop unaided, which is the reasoning behind the campaign's structure.

Which quit tools does the NHS recognise?

The NHS points to two main categories alongside behavioural support.

Licensed nicotine replacement therapy. Patches, gum, lozenges, inhalators and sprays are licensed medicines available from pharmacies, and they come with dosing information and pharmacist advice.

Vaping. The NHS includes vaping among the tools it recognises for stopping smoking, while being clear that it is intended for adult smokers rather than for people who do not smoke.

Nicotine pouches are not on that list. They are a consumer product rather than a licensed medicine, they have not been assessed or approved for smoking cessation, and they are not currently recommended by NICE for that purpose. That is worth stating plainly on a page like this.

Where do nicotine pouches sit?

Outside the clinical pathway. CLEW nicotine pouches are a consumer product for adults aged 18 and over who already use nicotine. They are not a stop smoking aid and this article is not a suggestion to use them as one.

If your aim during October is to stop using nicotine altogether, the NHS route is the appropriate one and this page has pointed you to it. If you are an existing adult nicotine user comparing formats rather than stopping, our vape alternatives guide sets out the six options available in the UK and how they differ, and our guide to nicotine dependence covers the addictive nature of nicotine in every format.

One thing to be aware of in October 2026

Two unrelated changes land in the same month, and coverage has run them together.

On 1 October, the Vaping Products Duty takes effect, adding £2.20 per 10ml plus VAT to vaping liquid. Our guide to the vape tax and where nicotine pouches stand sets out what it covers.

On 29 October, an age of sale of 18 becomes law for all consumer nicotine products, including nicotine pouches. Our guide to what changes for UK buyers on 29 October covers that separately. Neither change affects the Stoptober campaign itself.

Where to start

Search for NHS Better Health, or speak to a pharmacist, your GP or your local stop smoking service. All of it is free, and the support offered through the campaign is designed around the 28-day structure.

If you have a medical condition or take medication that could interact, speak to a healthcare professional before making changes.

CLEW nicotine pouches are for adults aged 18 and over who already use nicotine. View the range.

Nicotine is highly addictive. CLEW Pouches UK products are intended for adult users (18+) only. They are not suitable for non-smokers, those under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or anyone with a medical condition that could be affected by nicotine. Do not chew or swallow the pouch. If in doubt, please consult a healthcare professional.