In an attempt to “improve the health of the nation” and “cut smoking rates”, almost one in five of all smokers in England will be handed vape starter kits for free.
The UK Government is to give one million smokers a free vape starter kit in a bid to get them to swap their cigarettes for vapes.
They’ll also be given free behavioural support to help them quit as part of the series of new measures intended to help meet the country’s ambition of being smoke-free by 2030.
These new measures will work to deliver the Government’s three aims, which are to help more adults quit smoking, stop children and non-smokers from taking up vaping, and using vaping as a tool for established adult smokers to quit.
🆕 We’re taking action to help people quit smoking & prevent youth vaping.
New measures will help one million adult smokers switch to vaping & a specialist team will tackle illegal and underage vape sales.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) April 11, 2023
On top of the free vape starter kits, the Government is also set to offer pregnant women financial incentives to help them stop smoking – which comes after the success of several local trial schemes, and will involve offering them vouchers and behavioural support in exchange for the promise that they’ll stop smoking by the end of next year.
Additionally, there is also to be a “crackdown” on illicit vape sales as part of measures to stop children and non-smokers taking up the habit.
It’s hoped that all these new measures will eventually reduce smoking rates to 5% or less.
The Government says it’s also keen to cut smoking rates so that the number of smoking-related illnesses needing to be treated is reduced, which, in turn, relieves pressure on the NHS and helps to deliver on its priority of cutting NHS waiting lists.
Image: Unsplash
The new measures have been informed and set out following an independent smoking review led by Javed Khan.
“Up to two out of three lifelong smokers will die from smoking,” said Health Minister Neil O’Brien.
“Cigarettes are the only product on sale which will kill you if used correctly, so we will offer a million smokers new help to quit.
“We will fund a new national ‘swap to stop’ scheme, which the first of its kind in the world, and we will work with councils and others to offer a million smokers across England a free vaping starter kit.”
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Emily Sergeant -
12th April 2023 
