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.
Fresh has welcomed a new report from the British Heart Foundation which shows how plain, standardised packs could help cut smoking in the UK in the same way that rates have plummeted in Australia.
People smoking roll-ups could be kidding themselves it is less deadly – that's the message from Fresh as they urge people to quit for good this New Year.
FRESH today welcomed a law to protect children from being exposed to smoking in cars moving a step closer – but has also called for a pledge to make cigarette packs less attractive to children.
Despite signs fewer women are smoking during pregnancy in the North East, hundreds of mums-to-be could be faced with unimaginable tragedy unless they quit.
Fresh has paid tribute to hundreds of partners in the North East and nationally working to make smoking history after winning an NHS North East Leadership Recognition Award.
A BRAVE mum turned health campaigner, who spent the last few months of her life urging people to quit smoking and live longer, has lost her own battle with lung cancer aged just 48.
Smokers in the North East are being warned that they could be doubling or tripling their chances of developing the most common form of sight loss among the elderly sooner, unless they quit.