People across Lanarkshire who want to stop smoking are being encouraged to seek support from Quit Your Way, the NHS service that offers personalised help to suit each individual.
With just under 600,000 people in Scotland still smoking, there is a range of free, confidential support available in NHS Lanarkshire to help people stop and stay stopped, including:
- One to one support
- Telephone and text
- Access to nicotine replacement treatments (NRT), such as patches, lozenges and gum
- Support if you’re in hospital (NRT to manage withdrawals)
- Support at your local pharmacy
- Support during pregnancy
- Support for those experiencing mental health struggles and looking to quit smoking
- You can also find out more about protecting your family from second-hand smoke.
While strong willpower is a great start, expert support can make all the difference in achieving a smoke-free life.
Dr Garth Reid, Consultant in Public Health, Public Health Scotland, said: “Smoking is still a massive issue in this country as 1 in 5 deaths are caused by smoking, but the benefits of quitting happen really quickly.
“We know it can be tough, and many people often try several times before they succeed.
“We’ve got free advice and support services to help you at every stage, even if you have tried before.
“It’s always a good time to quit.”
Kat Jarvie, Senior Health Improvement Manager – Quit Your Way, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “We’ve been working closely with Public Health Scotland, NHS 24 as well as other Scottish Health Boards and relevant organisations to put this new campaign together.
“Through this partnership working, we will be in a much stronger position to raise awareness of our service and reach as many people as possible.
“NHS Lanarkshire supports anyone who wants to stop and we have a specialist service for pregnant women and those who are living with mental health struggles.
“Our advisers understand how challenging stopping can be and are trained to support people through the emotional and practical aspects of quitting.
“Whether you want to quit for your health, your family or your finances, Quit Your Way is here to help you stop in a way that works for you.”
To find out more about information on stop smoking services, call the Quit Your Way helpline on 0800 84 84 84 or visit QuitYourWay.scot.
Quit Your Way can be contacted Monday – Friday from 9am until 5pm.
You can also visit your local Community Pharmacy for FREE stop smoking support.
For drop-in times and information, visit: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/quit-your-way/#drop-in
