Smokers planning to take up the national Stoptober challenge this year are encouraged to contact Quit4Life for help before stubbing out their last cigarette.
This free NHS service helps anyone living or working in Hampshire who wants to quit, and offers a choice of support settings:
- Weekly sessions, at venues such as Waterlooville Community Centre and the Hub in Leigh Park
- QuitLine - telephone support for anyone unable to attend regular sessions
- Many GP surgeries and pharmacies offer one-to-one appointments
- Quit smoking at work - Quit4Life works with employers to offer programmes in the workplace. Ask your employer to contact Quit4Life if there may be a number of smokers interested in quitting together at work.
Your stop smoking adviser will discuss what will make quitting easier for you. They can supply Nicotine Replacement Therapy for up to 12 weeks for just one prescription charge, arrange Champix via your GP, or even advise on e-cigarettes. They can also help anyone worried about putting on weight when they quit, with the offer of free vouchers for sessions at Weight Watchers or Slimming World.*
The combination of encouragement from your friendly adviser, having confidence in products that are safe and effective, and seeing your carbon monoxide level drop as soon as you stop smoking, will all help you avoid lighting up for the first 28 days after your agreed quit date, a good indication that you will go on to stay quit long term. Don’t forget, Quit4Life will help you whenever the time is right for you to quit, not just during the Stoptober Campaign which runs for 28 days from 1 October. For more information visit www.quit4life.nhs.uk, call 0845 6024663 or text QUIT to 60123 and Quit4Life will call you back. Ask about free NRT at some venues when you take along this article.* *Subject to terms and conditions