Once you’ve decided to quit smoking, the next decision you’ll have to make is how.
? Giving up an addiction to smoking isn’t simply a case of stubbing out your last cigarette and getting on with your new smoke-free life. You’ll probably need a helping hand, whether that’s by using nicotine replacement therapy or accessing support from a smoking cessation adviser.
? There are a range of different options out there for those who decide to quit and navigating your way through the choices can be bewildering as there is no one size fits all solution. Luckily in Wales, there is a service that can do the hard work for you.
? Help Me Quit is run by NHS Wales and offers free smoking cessation support to everybody in Wales. Its advisers will help to find the quit smoking support that suits you best, including weekly group and one to one sessions with a smoking cessation adviser. The Help Me Quit website is also packed with information on how to quit and the different support options that are available in Wales. For more information click here .
⚕️ You may also be able to access quit smoking support from your local pharmacy. Some pharmacists are licensed to offer Level 3 smoking cessation support which means they offer one to one support as well as nicotine replacement therapy such as patches or gum. Meanwhile those offering Level 2 support provide NRT to those receiving behavioural support from Help Me Quit. Find your local pharmacy here.
?⚕️ A visit to GP can be a good first step .They can offer advice and support on giving up smoking and can talk through all the fantastic health benefits of quitting. A GP can refer you to Help Me Quit and explain the different NRT products that are available.
? It can also help to speak to people who are also in the process of quitting smoking or have successfully done so. Quit Smoking (Wales) is a closed Facebook group which is open to both smokers and non-smokers and provides a non-judgmental space in which people can share their quit smoking experiences.
To become a member of the group click here .
