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This Week - Q : Quit Smoking

NHS stop smoking services provide a range of ways to help you quit.

They'll give you information and advice, as well as professional support, during the first few months you stop smoking.

They also make it easy and affordable for you to get stop smoking treatments, such as:

• nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches or gum
• medicines such as varenicline, cytisinicline and bupropion (Zyban)

Some local services might also offer access to other types of support, such as Allen Carr's Easyway.

One-to-one and group stop smoking sessions

You'll normally be offered a one-to-one appointment with an adviser, but many areas also offer group and drop-in services as well.

Depending on where you live, the venue could be a local GP surgery, pharmacy, high street shop or even a mobile bus clinic.

You may be able to join sessions by phone or online if you cannot go in person.

How to contact a stop smoking adviser

Your GP, pharmacist or health visitor can refer you, or you can phone your local stop smoking service to make an appointment with an adviser.

In England

• Find stop smoking services in England
• Call the free Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044

In Scotland

• Find stop smoking services in Scotland
• Call the free Quit Your Way Scotland helpline on 0800 84 84 84

In Wales

• Find stop smoking services in Wales
• Call the free Help Me Quit helpline on 0800 085 2219

In Northern Ireland

• Find stop smoking services in Northern Ireland

Your first stop smoking session

At your first meeting with an adviser, you'll talk about why you smoke and why you want to quit, as well as any attempts you've made to quit in the past. You'll also be able to decide on a quit date.

You'll be offered a breath test, which shows the level of carbon monoxide - a poisonous gas in cigarette smoke - in your body.

Stop smoking aids

At your first session, you'll also discuss stop smoking treatments available to help you.

These are nicotine replacement products, including patches, gum, lozenges, inhalators and mouth and nasal sprays, and the stop smoking tablets varenicline, cytisinicline or bupropion (Zyban).

There's evidence that e-cigarettes (also known as vapes or e-cigs) can help people stop smoking.

E-cigarettes are not currently available as medicines so they cannot be supplied by stop smoking services or prescribed on the NHS. However, your local Stop Smoking Service may offer a free e-cigarette starter pack.

If you want to use an e-cigarette to help you quit, you can get advice and support from a stop smoking adviser to give you the best chance of success.

Find out more about using e-cigarettes to stop smoking

Staying smoke-free

Stop smoking services usually offer support for up to 12 weeks.

At each meeting, you'll receive a supply of, or prescription for, a stop smoking treatment (if you're using it) and have your carbon monoxide level measured.

You'll have an emergency number for out-of-hours times to help you cope with cravings and avoid smoking a cigarette if you're struggling.

Stop smoking advisers can also help you identify difficult situations when there may be a strong temptation to start smoking again.

They can also help you come up with ways to cope with or avoid these situations.

Take the Healthy Choices quiz

If you want to improve your health and wellbeing but are not sure where to start, the Healthy Choices quiz on the NHS Better Health website can give you personalised advice about how to live a healthier life.

Get advice, tools and support to help you quit smoking

Find support, advice and practical tools to help you quit smoking, including a free personalised quit plan and information about stop smoking services.

Quit smoking (Better Health)

Tips to stay smoke-free

Learn how to manage cravings, understand smoking triggers and stay smoke-free with practical tips and support.

Staying smoke free (Better Health)

If you want to find out more about this week's subject you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.