Ian Quigley, local NHS Stop Smoking adviser for City and Hackney TPCT in London, tells us what a smoker wanting to quit can expect from a Stop Smoking Service...
'Smokers can meet with their advisers, either individually for behavioural support for 20mins weekly for 5 weeks or as part of a group, for an hour each week for around seven weeks.
'In a group they are still smoking when they start the course, and typically spend the first two sessions preparing to give up in the third week. Advisers can also offer guidance on using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and Bupropion (Zyban) and help smokers to access relevant treatments on prescription.
'Many groups have carbon monoxide monitors, so quitters are able to measure how quickly their bodies return to normal once they have stopped smoking.
'As well as benefiting from the support offered by the adviser, you'll also be able to share experiences and tips with your fellow quitters.'
'However other people prefer one-to-one meetings, which is why NHS Stop Smoking Services offer both options.'
'Some local NHS Stop Smoking Services hold sessions at people's workplaces. And you won't be left to manage on your own once the meetings end.
'Many areas also run monthly relapse prevention meetings, or regular drop-in sessions for smokers who need ongoing help and assistance.'
'More quitters are using the services than ever before - we helped nearly 300,000 people successfully quit last year - an increase of 45 per cent on the previous year.'
'It is also important that you are able to develop a personalised quit plan with the help of your expert adviser, one that's tailored to your needs whether on a one-to-one or group basis.
'Couple this with expert, professional advice and access to NRT and it's easy to see why the formula continues to produce success.'
'The cornerstone of the NHS Stop Smoking Service approach is working towards a stress-free quit date. This means you're better prepared for and fully understand the withdrawal process, it gives you more time to imagine yourself as a non-smoker and ultimately makes you more likely to succeed.
'Willpower alone will often not be enough - only 2-3% of quit attempts are successful without support or NRT.'
To find your nearest NHS Stop Smoking Services please click here to search.
Alternatively please text your postcode and the words give up to 88088, or call the BHF advice line on 0800 169 1900.
What is a NHS Stop Smoking Service?
"It's a free, convenient, local support network to help smokers give up for good. There are over 170 services up and down the country offering practical advice and support on either a one to one or group basis."What actually happens at a NHS Stop Smoking Service - and what's the role of the adviser?
'NHS Stop Smoking advisers are trained health professionals who provide free help, advice and support for people who want to give up smoking. We are specially trained to help smokers who want to stop.'Smokers can meet with their advisers, either individually for behavioural support for 20mins weekly for 5 weeks or as part of a group, for an hour each week for around seven weeks.
'In a group they are still smoking when they start the course, and typically spend the first two sessions preparing to give up in the third week. Advisers can also offer guidance on using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and Bupropion (Zyban) and help smokers to access relevant treatments on prescription.
'Many groups have carbon monoxide monitors, so quitters are able to measure how quickly their bodies return to normal once they have stopped smoking.
'As well as benefiting from the support offered by the adviser, you'll also be able to share experiences and tips with your fellow quitters.'
Some people may be apprehensive about attending this sort of session - do the groups really work?
'Group meetings are very successful for several reasons. People learn from one another in terms of what worked and what didn't - they share tips from each other's past experience of trying to quit - but there is also an element of encouragement, which many people find makes a big difference.'However other people prefer one-to-one meetings, which is why NHS Stop Smoking Services offer both options.'
People lead busy lives - how do you make sure these sessions fit into smokers' lifestyles?
'Local NHS Stop Smoking Services take a practical, professional approach - smokers are our clients. That's why we aim to hold sessions at convenient times, like lunch breaks or evenings, and in a variety of local community settings, to make them as easy to access as possible.'Some local NHS Stop Smoking Services hold sessions at people's workplaces. And you won't be left to manage on your own once the meetings end.
'Many areas also run monthly relapse prevention meetings, or regular drop-in sessions for smokers who need ongoing help and assistance.'
What is the success rate of the clinics? How many people have actually quit successfully after attending a clinic?
'Local NHS Stop Smoking Services really work. Government research shows that smokers are up to 4 times more likely to give up successfully if they use their local NHS Stop Smoking Service together with Nicotine Replacement Therapy than relying on willpower alone.'More quitters are using the services than ever before - we helped nearly 300,000 people successfully quit last year - an increase of 45 per cent on the previous year.'
Why are local NHS Stop Smoking Services so successful?
'Evidence shows that getting professional help can increase your chances of stopping for good. It can help to join a group of like-minded people who meet regularly to share their experience and give each other support and inspiration to stop and stay stopped.'It is also important that you are able to develop a personalised quit plan with the help of your expert adviser, one that's tailored to your needs whether on a one-to-one or group basis.
'Couple this with expert, professional advice and access to NRT and it's easy to see why the formula continues to produce success.'
Is there a right way to quit?
'Giving up smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health so any quit attempt is a good one. To give up for good and give yourself the best chance of long-term success, preparation is key, both in a physical and mental sense.'The cornerstone of the NHS Stop Smoking Service approach is working towards a stress-free quit date. This means you're better prepared for and fully understand the withdrawal process, it gives you more time to imagine yourself as a non-smoker and ultimately makes you more likely to succeed.
'Willpower alone will often not be enough - only 2-3% of quit attempts are successful without support or NRT.'
To find your nearest NHS Stop Smoking Services please click here to search.
Alternatively please text your postcode and the words give up to 88088, or call the BHF advice line on 0800 169 1900.
