Smoking
Did you know giving up smoking significantly increase your chances of living a longer healthier lifestyle, even if you have smoked for 40 years!
It is never to late to think about stopping, it will make a drastic improvement to your lifestyle and health in ways you might not expect.
Benefits of quitting
- After 20 minutes your blood pressure and pulse return to normal
- After 24 hours your lungs start to clear
- After two days your body is nicotine-free and your sense of taste and smell improve
- After three days you can breathe more easily, and your energy increases.
Very Brief Intervention
Ask
Have you ever thought of stopping or tried to stop before?
The average smoker could save £140 each month (£1680 per year) by quitting, what would you do with that extra money?
Remember to personalise the benefits. Is the person saving for a holiday, or a new home? Do they have children or grandchildren they would like to runaround with?
Assist
State that the best way of stopping smoking is with a combination of medication and specialist support
- Studies show that you are four times more likely to quit smoking if you do it through a specialist support service.
- Services are free and they provide one to one support.
- Local stop smoking services staffed by expert advisers provide a range of proven methods to help you quit.
- Its totally free
Do you think you would benefit from the services your local stop smoking service can offer?
Act
NATIONAL SUPPORT
- Call the free Smokefree National Helpline to speak to a trained, expert adviser on 0300 123 1044. All lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm*
- Better Health quit smoking website which includes information about the benefits of quitting, advice on various quitting aids and a local stop smoking service lookup tool
- NHS Quit Smoking App (Apple) or NHS Quit Smoking App (google/android) - a 28-day programme that provides practical support, encouragement, and tailored clinical advice on your mobile/tablet. Includes a savings calculator so you can see how much money you're saving.
- Get a free Personal Quit Plan Quitting smoking is easier with the right support. Give up for 28 days, and you're 5 times more likely to quit for good – get your plan now!
- You can also speak to your doctor, pharmacy team or local Stop Smoking Service for expert advice on stop smoking medicines.
SELF CARE
- Download the NHS Quit Smoking app from apple or google/android
- Get further information from the National Health Service www.nhs.uk/quit
- Consider using e-cigarettes to stop smoking
- Get daily email support - If you would like some extra support, you can sign up for 28 days of stop smoking advice and tips – delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for email support
- Find your online community - You do not have to do it alone – join others going through the same thing in a friendly and supportive environment. Join the Quit Smoking Support Group on Facebook
Emphasise that quitting will the best thing they will ever do and the NHS Smokefree service can provide the friendly and helpful support they need to quit for good
Local Support and Contact Details
NHS Bath and North East Somerset Community Health and Care Services
Smoking
Community Hub - Stop smoking service
Our service offers free local support to smokers aged 12 years and over through individual, face to face or telephone consultations. This support can include help to either stop smoking completely, cut down gradually prior to your quit date or cut down to reduce the harm from your smoking. When you get in touch, one of our friendly and fully trained health improvement practitioners will talk to you about your options and help you create a plan to reach your goal.
Swindon Borough Council
Stop smoking service
Developed by experts and ex-smokers and delivered by professionals, the Stop Smoking Service provides tailored advice, support and encouragement at various locations across Swindon. The service is free and offers individuals the following:
- Help and advice to choose a suitable medication
- Free carbon monoxide testing
- Help in developing an individually tailored quit plan
- Support in making behaviour change
- Help with managing cravings and temptations
- Support with worries about weight gain and/or managing stress
- 8 -12 weeks of stop smoking medication for those exempt from prescription charges
Stop smoking service | Swindon Borough Council
Wiltshire Council
Support to quit
Our trained stop smoking advisors offer friendly, non-judgemental advice and support across the county. The advisors can give you tips and information while working with you to beat your cravings and change your smoking habits.
Your first session will last for 20-30 minutes with follow-up sessions of 10 minutes to complete the 12-week course. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic most local stop smoking services are being delivered remotely.
Support is available in most GP surgeries as well as through the Health Improvement Coaches.
Find stop smoking support services - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Smokefree Wiltshire - Wiltshire Council
Your coach can assist you every step of the way to achieve and maintain your goals. The service is free and available for adults aged 18 and over.
To contact a Health Improvement Coach email health.coaches@wiltshire.gov.uk or call 0300 003 4566 (select option 1).
Wiltshire Health Improvement Coaches offer tailored support for smokers to quit.