THE Western Trust Smoking Cessation Team are encouraging smokers to quit smoking and reap the health and financial benefits on this No Smoking Day (Wednesday 14 March 2018).
This year’s No Smoking Day message is about being ‘Proud to be a Quitter’ which is set to inspire smokers to use No Smoking Day as the day they pledge to stop smoking.
The Trust’s Smoking Cessation Team has developed effective evidence-based services for people who wish to stop smoking and we would encourage anyone who wishes to take the first steps towards a healthier, Smokefree life for themselves and their families, to avail of the free service.
Smoking Cessation Clinics are ran by specialist stop smoking practitioners who offer ongoing support and advice, help develop a personal quit plan based on the individual’s needs and provide information on stop smoking products, withdrawal symptoms and coping strategies. Weekly Drop-in clinics are available in the following areas:
Derry
Carnhill Resource Centre, Monday (excluding bank holidays from 6pm – 7.30pm.
Shared Future Centre Waterside, Thursday 2pm – 4pm.
Strabane Health Centre – Wednesday 5pm – 6.30pm.
Limavady Health Centre – Scroggy Road, Wednesday 5pm – 6pm.
This No Smoking Day, the Western Trust is also proud to be celebrating four years Smokefree across all Trust facilities. When the Trust embarked on this Smokefree journey, we knew it would be challenging and it continues to be. The Trust is now in the process of developing an action plan to bring a reemphasis back to Smokefree so it becomes unthinkable that anyone – staff, patients or visitors would smoke on a Western Trust facility.
Josie Hughes, Smoking Cessation Nurse Specialist for the Western Trust said: “By having a Smokefree environment and providing stop smoking support services, we are enabling smokers to have the best possible chance of quitting.
“Research constantly shows smoking to be the single most preventable cause of illness and preventable death with 2,300 people dying each year from smoking related diseases in Northern Ireland.
“Our smoking cessation team has developed an effective evidence-based service that assists individuals who wish to quit smoking through adopting a non-judgmental, supportive, empathetic and flexible approach.”
She added: “I see the damage smoking does and I also see the health benefits of stopping smoking. The positive effects start immediately after the smoker puts out their final cigarette.
“After only 20 minutes; blood pressure returns to normal and after six months the risk of heart attack, cancer and other ‘smoking’ diseases falls.
“Not only is there enormous health benefits to stopping smoking, there is the additional benefit of savings. On average a 20 a day smoker could save almost £3,500 in a year”
“Most smokers underestimate the effectiveness of professional help, but more people succeed with our Specialist Stop Smoking service than with any other way. I would encourage anyone motivated to stop smoking to come along – the sooner you stop, the sooner your health will start to improve.”
Colette Rogers, Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control with the Public Health Agency, said: “Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health and wellbeing.
“You will notice positive health changes and have more money in your pocket. Last year the percentage of people who smoke here dropped by two percent, meaning that the proportion of the population here who are smokers is now 20% – the lowest since the Northern Ireland Health Survey began in 1983.
“While we know that stopping smoking can be a challenge, help is at hand. There are a range of services across Northern Ireland that have an excellent track record in helping people to quit. Experienced stop smoking staff provide a friendly, supportive service in a relaxed environment. They’ll help design a stop smoking plan that will work best for you to make this as easy as possible. This could include Nicotine Replacement Therapy and support to cope with cravings and enjoy a healthier lifestyle.”
Anyone who wants to know more about stopping smoking can call the local helpline on 0800 9179388 where they can speak to a member of the Smoking Cessation Team.
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