No Smoking Day takes place on Wednesday 9 March and is the perfect opportunity to consider quitting smoking with Quit Your Way. NHS Lanarkshire staff can also take advantage of the free stop smoking service, along with the 2,000 Lanarkshire residents who have sparked their quit smoking journey with the free service, in the last 12 months.
The Quit Your Way team’s joint No Smoking Day campaign with ASH Scotland focuses on encouraging people in Lanarkshire to seek support and advice when they’re ready to quit smoking. The service offers a variety of free options including friendly support and advice, specialist support for pregnant women and those living with mental health problems and access to nicotine replacement treatments, even if those who smoke have attempted to quit previously.
Over the last year, more than 2,000 motivated Lanarkshire residents took their first step to stub out the addiction through tailored programmes, which are designed to meet their specific quitting needs.
Alexandra Usurelu, from Motherwell, who successfully quit smoking with support from NHS Lanarkshire’s Quit Your Way service, commented: “There were three reasons I wanted to quit smoking, first of all because I was pregnant and my baby could be born smaller, secondly because cigarettes are expensive and third, because I wanted to be healthier.
“I didn’t smoke during my first pregnancy, but after I had my baby I started smoking again because of stress. I found out about Quit Your Way through my midwife during my second pregnancy and I’ve now been smoke-free for over five months since having my baby.
“I’m originally from Romania, so if English isn’t your first language like me, everything is arranged with an interpreter. From all my heart I’d recommend this service to everyone.
“It was a very nice experience and great result for my health and that of my children.”
Shirley Mitchell, senior health improvement manager – Quit Your Way, NHS Lanarkshire, commented: “National No Smoking Day is often a time when people who smoke decide to make a dedicated decision to give up.
“When it comes to quitting smoking, everyone is different, but giving up is not something people have to do on their own. I’m extremely proud of everyone who took their first step to quit and contacted our service, we understand that nicotine is a powerful and addictive substance.
“Trying to quit smoking may feel overwhelming, but help and support tailored to each person’s needs are available to support anyone to stop smoking through Quit Your Way Lanarkshire.”
Sheila Duffy, chief executive of ASH Scotland, said: “Nicotine is highly addictive and, although it can take a number of attempts to quit, some people find giving up cigarettes or tobacco easier than they had thought. For others, it takes a number of attempts, and it is worth trying again.
“Quitting smoking can improve your mental health and, within a year of stopping, the risk of coronary heart disease reduces by half compared to someone who smokes.
“Quit Your Way stop smoking service and local community pharmacies provide free support which can help you to develop a personalised plan and, on No Smoking Day, we are encouraging people in Lanarkshire to begin taking vital steps towards a much healthier future by stopping smoking for good.”
Quit Your Way can be contacted Monday – Friday from 9am until 5pm.
To find out about the stop smoking services and to access the best support to quit in your area call the Quit Your Way helpline service on 0800 84 84 84 or visit QuitYourWay.scot.
You can also visit your local Community Pharmacy for FREE stop smoking support.
