Make today the day you quit smoking - with free local help!

Smokers across Stockton-on-Tees are being urged 'Don't give up on giving up!' this No Smoking Day (March 9).

Nearly eight million lives have been lost in the UK due to tobacco since 1971, show recent figures from the charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). An estimated two million more are expected to die in the next 20 years without radical changes to smoking rates.

Despite a 50 per cent reduction in adult smoking rates in the last decade, smoking rates are still higher in some of our communities.

Many people try to quit smoking with willpower alone, but with the right help it's much easier to go smoke-free, which for many smokers would be a saving of almost £2,000 per year!

Specialist local services like Stockton's Stop Smoking Service are free - and with their help, you're three times more likely to quit for good!

Councillor Jim Beall, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: "We've made good progress but need to go further to eradicate our biggest killer, and there has possibly never been a more important time to quit smoking than right now.

"The COVID-19 pandemic, and the devastating toll that the virus can have on our lungs and respiratory system has shown us that we all need to be more mindful of our health. We know that if you smoke, you generally have an increased risk of contracting respiratory infections such as coronavirus and your symptoms could likely be more severe.

"The rising cost of living is another very good reason to quit. The average smoker is spending just under £2,000 a year on tobacco.

"Stopping smoking is one of the best things you will ever do for your health. When you stop, you give your lungs the chance to repair and you will be able to breathe easier. There are lots of other benefits too - and they start almost immediately.

"Don't give up on giving up. Every time you try to stop smoking, you're a step closer to success. I used to be a smoker and know from experience how hard it can be to give up - but I did it and so can you."

The figures from ASH also highlight that 30 per cent of the Borough's households with smokers are "driven into" poverty once income and smoking costs are taken into account - compared to 31 per cent in England as a whole.

Smokers' employment chances and average earnings are also damaged by smoking (smokers earn 6.8% less than non-smokers) creating further hardship for people, especially those who have to give up working due to smoking-related ill health.

Where to get support to stop smoking

Stockton's Stop Smoking Service, funded by the local authority and delivered by the NHS, can help you develop a plan to help you stop.

Stockton's Health and Wellbeing Board is also relaunching its Smoke-free Alliance today, placing renewed emphasis on support to quit. The alliance brings together a range of agencies to support people to stop smoking.

There's also lots of support options and quitting aids available such as Nicotine Replacement or switching completely to vaping to reduce some of the stress and anxiety that cravings can temporarily cause. Stockton Stop Smoking Service or your pharmacist can advise on the best quitting aids to help you.

Get started today - find out more about ways to quit to help you beat the addiction and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Call the Stockton Specialist Stop Smoking Service on 01642 383819 or visit the Stockton Specialist Stop Smoking Service webpage on the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust website.

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