Thousands of smokers are now smoke-free in Sussex thanks to the support on offer from NHS Stop Smoking services. In the year to March 2011, almost 10,000 people successfully quit smoking across Sussex with support from local NHS Stop Smoking services.
In East Sussex 3,332 people successfully stopped smoking, in West Sussex 4,304 people stubbed out and in Brighton and Hove 1,878 people successfully went smoke-free.
Anna Kirk, Tobacco Control lead on behalf of NHS Sussex, said: “Every single person who has stopped smoking in the last twelve months should be very proud of themselves. It is a great achievement and we are delighted they have managed to take this huge step to a healthier lifestyle with the help available.
“We know that stopping smoking isn’t easy, but NHS support on offer really does help. Local advisors provide free expert advice, access to medication and support tailored to what you need. There are group sessions, one-to-one support or phone advice – lots of options to support you as much as possible during your quit attempt.
“Our key goal is to keep people healthy and well, and the best thing a smoker can do for their health - and those around them - is to quit.
“Quitting smoking really is the one single thing people can do to dramatically increase their chances of living a longer life, and committing to stop is the first step on that journey. Once your body is smokefree it will begin to heal within 20 minutes and within 48 hours your body is nicotine free.”
Jeanette Williams manages the NHS Stop Smoking Service in East Sussex. She said: “We are delighted that so many people are making the decision to go smoke-free and they are coming to us to help them make that decision a reality. NHS support really does make a difference to your quit attempt – it isn’t easy but our specialist expert advisors can help you every step of the way.
“If you are a smoker and you want to quit, we can help you. There are still thousands of smokers in Sussex and many who want to stop – so if you are one of them come and find out how we can support you.”
Local information
In East Sussex, the Stop Smoking Service has been looking at new ways to help people give up.
For example, this year a new convenient Stop Smoking Shop called Walk into Wellbeing opened in Langney Shopping Centre in Eastbourne. The shop provides information on local health services as well as stop smoking support with five clinics per week, making it even easier to get access to the help you need.
A website has also been piloting virtual group sessions for people in East Sussex, which allow people to get expert help and advice from home or at work. For the Stop Smoking Service in East Sussex, contact: 0800 917 8896 or visit www.stopsmokingineastsussex.co.uk.
Current local services in Brighton and Hove include stop smoking clinics in Bevendean, Whitehawk, Portslade, Moulsecoomb and other areas of the city, workplace support sessions and advice for patients at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. GP surgeries and some pharmacies can also support smokers to become smoke free. For Brighton and Hove contact: 01273 267397
There are more than 140 places across West Sussex where people who smoke can get help and support to go smokefree, from GP practices, pharmacies and a dedicated expert service run by Sussex Community NHS Trust. All parts of the service saw an increase in the number of people approaching them for help and support. If you want to find out more about what help and support is on offer, and how you can access it, simply call the free local NHS Smoking Helpline on 0300 100 1823.
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For further information, please contact:
NHS Sussex Communications
01273 403550
·jamie.whitburn@esdwpct.nhs.uk or Madeleine.mayhew@esdwpct.nhs.uk
