This Stoptober, smokers in Stockton and Thornaby are being offered more opportunities to quit the habit for good.
October is Stoptober, the month long campaign to reduce smoking throughout the UK.
During Stoptober, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s expert smoking cessation team will be at Stockton town centre’s Castlegate Shopping Centre every Wednesday, from 11 – 12.
The team will be offering advice, signing up smokers to quit programmes and even carrying out on-the-spot carbon monoxide tests to assess levels of the dangerous gas in smokers’ lungs.
They have also re-opened a clinic at Thornaby Medical Centre. Every Tuesday from 5 – 6.15pm smoking cessation advisors will be on hand to offer support and prescribe nicotine replacement therapies.
The Asda supermarket in Thornaby will also host the team on Thursday 14 October, 11am – 3pm.
All sessions are operated on a drop-in basis
Leanne Watson, stop smoking facilitator, said: “It’s brilliant being back out and about, meeting people and offering them help to quit smoking.
“No one would deny that quitting smoking can be tough, but there is lots of help available. We have loads of experience in the team of helping peoples, many with very heavy, long term addictions. We really can create a quit programme suitable for every smoker.
“So if you’re a smoker and would like some help to quit, just swing by and say ‘hello’. We’re here to help.”
Chantal Taylor, Castlegate Shopping Centre marketing manager, said: “We are happy to support Stoptober at Castlegate this month and to help promote this important initiative on a local level. The team are with us every Wednesday in October from 11am to 2pm and already they have been talking to our customers and helping them on their journey to stop smoking.”
Smokers in Stockton can also access smoking cessation advice by calling call 01642 383819.
All smokers can download the free NHS quit smoking app or get advice direct from the Stoptober team.
Smoking – key facts
Your body starts repairing the day you stop smoking and benefits build over time.
Quitting not only improves your respiratory health, but also your mental wellbeing.
You should see a health improvement in your bank balance, too.
Quitting timeline:
- After just 20 minutes of not smoking, your pulse will begin to return to normal
- After 48 hours all harmful carbon monoxide will have been flushed out of your blood
- After one year, your chances of a heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker
Going smoke free is easier with the right help.
If you’re pregnant it is even more important to go smoke free. Cigarettes can restrict the essential oxygen supply to your baby. As a result, their heart must beat harder every time you smoke. Speak to your midwife about extra support available if you are pregnant and want to quit.
