A public health leader whose work has helped tens of thousands of people to successfully quit smoking has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King’s New Year Honours List, recognising her services to smoking cessation.
Elizabeth Woodworth, a long-serving smoking cessation expert at ABL Health, has received the prestigious honour in recognition of more than 30 years of leadership in respiratory health, tobacco control and improving outcomes for communities most affected by smoking related harm.
Over the course of her career, Elizabeth is estimated to have helped around 35,000 people to successfully quit smoking – saving lives and helping to close the gap on health inequalities in some of the most deprived areas across the country.
Elizabeth served as Professional Lead for Smoking Cessation at ABL Health from 2016, overseeing 12 specialist services and working closely with clinicians, policymakers and communities to embed best practice across local and national health systems. During this time, she is estimated to have trained more than 200 healthcare professionals annually – including GPs, hospital staff and maternity teams.
Although her award was listed among Derbyshire recipients, much of Elizabeth’s most influential work has been delivered in Greater Manchester and Merseyside, where she played a pivotal role in driving record-low smoking rates within the region.
Her flagship ABL Health service in Wirral has been consistently rated among the best-performing stop smoking service in England.
Since 2016, ABL Wirral has helped more than 13,000 residents to successfully quit smoking and helped to reduce local smoking prevalence from 18.9% to 12% since 2015 — one of the most significant sustained reductions seen nationally.
A passionate champion for equity and evidence-based care, Elizabeth has advocated tirelessly for the standardisation of smoking cessation service delivery, helping to ensure smokers locally and nationally receive the same high-quality package of support. She has also played a key role in developing and overseeing local tobacco control alliances, strengthening collaboration between councils, clinicians and community partners.
At a national level, Elizabeth has contributed to the development of national stop smoking standards and guidance, including NICE Guidance NG92, and has been an active member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tobacco Control. She has also led and published research to support temporary abstinence from smoking among teenagers during school hours, influencing prevention approaches for young people.
Elizabeth Woodworth, who now supports ABL Health in an advisory capacity, said,
“I am deeply honoured to receive this award. For me, helping people to quit smoking has always been about understanding the complexity of addiction and working alongside our service users as a trusted friend. When you combine compassion with science-backed, evidence-based support, you give people the confidence and tools to stop smoking for good.”
Rebecca Mellor, Public Health Principal at Wirral Council, said,
“Elizabeth’s individualised support approach has been revolutionary within the community. Under her stewardship, ABL Wirral’s Stop Smoking service was recognised as the number one service in the country for three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023. The mission now is to end smoking, everywhere, for everyone to create a smokefree generation.”
Dylan Edwards, Divisional Director of Nursing & AHPs at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, said,
“Elizabeth’s passion and unwavering commitment has transformed smoking cessation in Wirral. Since I became the Trust lead for ‘Smoke Free’ in 2018, her support has been exceptional. She has advocated tirelessly, secured vital resources, and ensured patients and care providers have a strong voice in shaping Wirral’s smoke-free future.”
Denise Leslie, ABL Health Chief Executive, said,
“Through unwavering dedication, Elizabeth has changed lives and reduced health inequalities in some of our country’s most deprived communities. She has shaped national standards, strengthened services and inspired a generation of public health professionals. Her expertise, combined with genuine compassion, is reflected in healthier, smoke-free communities across England.”
The King’s New Year Honours List recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to public life, community wellbeing and national health outcomes. Elizabeth will formally receive her British Empire Medal from the Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire later this year.
About ABL Health
ABL Health is a leading community-driven preventative healthcare provider dedicated to reducing health inequalities and helping people live healthier, happier lives for longer.
Since 2009, we have pioneered the shift of services from secondary care into local communities, working in close partnership across more than 20 health and social care systems. Our person-centred and holistic approach improves outcomes, strengthens local capacity and ensures everyone has the opportunity to achieve A Better Life.
ABL offers free, expert support to help people quit smoking for good. To find out more about our flexible and personalised support to stop smoking, call 0120 4570 999 or visit ablhealth.co.uk.
Originally published on ablhealth.co.uk.
