Changes to the local stop smoking services quarterly data return for 2014 –15

This briefing details a small number of changes that are being made to the collection of outcome data from local stop smoking services.

Since 1999 treatment and outcome data from local stop smoking services has been collected on a quarterly basis. The stop smoking service data return, submitted to, analysed and published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), provides an invaluable insight to the activities of stop smoking services across England that is essential for effective local planning as well as broader policy, delivery and research developments.

Whilst the collection is now voluntary, every local area is strongly encouraged to continue providing this data to sustain what has become a hugely important resource for tracking trends at national, regional and local levels.