Smoking

Stopping smoking can be hard, but with your local stop smoking team’s support, you can do it. Offering free behavioural support and a wide variety of stop smoking aids, using their support means your likelihood of quitting increase by three times! It is never too late to stop smoking, apart from the financial savings the physical and mental health benefits are massive.

Benefits of quitting 

  • After 20 minutes your blood pressure and pulse return to normal
  • After 48 hours Your carbon monoxide levels have dropped to that of a non-smoker. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving.
  • Research shows that quitting smoking will improve your mental health, lift your mood, and lower anxiety.

Very Brief Intervention

Ask

Have you ever thought of stopping or tried to stop before?

The average smoker could save £190 each month (£2300 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 three 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
  • It's 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/ vapes (bought from a reputable retailer) 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