Today is World No Tobacco Day (Wed 31 May) and to support this event, NHS Lanarkshire’s Quit Your Way team is celebrating the 1000+ Lanarkshire residents who quit smoking with its service from Jan 2022 – Dec 2022.
The Quit Your Way service offers 12-weeks of free support to quit smoking, as well as posting nicotine replacement products to all Lanarkshire residents at their home, including patients and NHS Lanarkshire staff.
NHS Lanarkshire staff working with inpatients and outpatients can also refer people who smoke to the service.
Robert Sterritt, who quit smoking after being referred during his stay in hospital, and was one of the 1000 who quit in 2022, said: “I found out about Quit Your Way whilst I was in Hairmyres hospital after I had a heart attack. My nurse asked me if I smoked, and when I responded I did, she asked if I would like referred to Quit Your Way.
“I started Nicotine Replacement Therapy whilst I was in hospital, and was issued with patches and gum. I was also shown how to apply the patch and given the tip to remove before sleeping as I experience sleep disturbances from the nicotine.
“The Quit Your Way team supported me after my hospital stay by sending me out my NRT, it’s been about six weeks now that I’ve been smoke-free and I previously smoked around 40 cigarettes per day.”
Shirley Mawhinney, Senior Health Improvement Manager – Quit your Way, NHS Lanarkshire, commented: “When it comes to quitting smoking, everyone is different but giving up isn’t something people have to do on their own.
“I’m extremely proud of everyone who has managed to quit smoking in Lanarkshire, and would urge anyone thinking of quitting to get in touch.
“Our service is here to support you, even if you have already tried before, as we understand that nicotine is a powerful and addictive substance.”
Contact Quit Your Way
Call the Quit Your Way helpline service on 0800 84 84 84 between Monday and Friday from 9am until 5pm or visit QuitYourWay.scot.
You can now use our ‘Click to be Contacted’ service, select your local or nearest area, leave your name, preferred contact method and we will be in touch with you.
You can also visit your local community pharmacy for free stop smoking support.
Find your nearest community pharmacy.
Refer your patients to Quit Your Way
Visit the Quit Your Way dedicated FirstPort page for acute referrers, or phone our local helpline on 01698 754 888, which is available Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm.
The local Lanarkshire helpline is where you can get assistance with queries in regards to stopping smoking, including:
- Taking referrals
- Provide behavioural support to clients who are motivated to stop smoking (as required)
- Advise on pharmacotherapy products available to support quitting
