A new pilot aimed at helping people experiencing homelessness to quit smoking has been launched by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, working in partnership with Ben’s Centre Charity.
The initiative, based at Ben’s Centre in Broomhall, is designed to improve access to smoking cessation support for a group that often faces significant barriers to healthcare.
Delivered by the Trust’s tobacco treatment team, the scheme offers tailored, non-judgemental support, including one-to-one conversations about tobacco dependence and practical strategies to help individuals cut down or quit. Participants can also be referred into wider community support services where appropriate.
Tackling stark health inequalities
The programme comes against a backdrop of stark health inequalities. In England, the average life expectancy for people experiencing homelessness is just 45 years for men and 43 for women. Smoking rates in this group are estimated to be as high as 80%, making tobacco use one of the leading contributors to poor health outcomes.
For many individuals facing homelessness, the pressures of day-to-day survival, combined with mental health challenges and a perception of a shorter life expectancy, can make quitting smoking feel less urgent or achievable.
The Sheffield pilot aims to address these issues head-on by taking support directly into a trusted community setting, where relationships can be built over time and engagement is more likely.
Integrated support improving access
The stop smoking service is being delivered alongside an existing podiatry clinic run by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, which is already supporting people experiencing homelessness.
Early uptake has been encouraging, particularly for the scheme’s vape offer, which has proven popular among service users. In addition to direct support for individuals, the tobacco treatment team has also provided training to staff at Ben’s Centre, helping to embed a more consistent approach to smoking cessation support.
Joe Le Sage, who manages the Healthy Hospital & Community Programme at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, said that the new scheme makes a real difference for people using it:
“This approach offers clear benefits for people using the service including improved access to healthcare in an environment that helps to build trust and engagement. It provides practical support to reduce tobacco dependence and improve overall health.”
A flexible, person-centred approach
A key feature of the pilot is its emphasis on flexibility and understanding the unique circumstances of each individual. Rather than a traditional clinical model, the programme focuses on meeting people where they are – both physically and emotionally – offering realistic alternatives to tobacco use and supporting gradual behaviour change.
By combining healthcare with community-based delivery, the scheme reflects a wider shift across the NHS towards more inclusive, person-centred models of care, particularly for underserved populations.
If successful, the Sheffield pilot could offer a blueprint for similar interventions across other regions, helping to reduce smoking prevalence and improve long-term health outcomes among people experiencing homelessness.
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