Experts warn that smokers could be at greater risk of developing lung illness from 
coronavirus. The public health community is therefore encouraging smokers to quit, even in isolation.
Quitting smoking can be testing and stressful at the best of times, however it is important to boost your bodies natural defences at this time.
No matter how long you’ve smoked, from the moment you quit smoking, your body starts to heal itself.
Follow these three steps to #QuitForCovid
1. Get expert advice
Help Me Quit is the national stop smoking service in Wales and they have telephone advisors who can offer advice and guidance. You can call them on 0800 085 2219
Your local pharmacist can also give you advice on which stop smoking medication could work for you. It is advised to call before visiting as pharmacies are very busy at this time.
2. Get medication from your local supermarket /order online
We are advised to leave the house only for essential shopping and medication, this would include NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy) to help you stop smoking e.g. patches, gum, lozenges. Read our guide on using NRT to quit smoking.
You may have tried nicotine replacement therapies before. They help you manage your nicotine cravings, but they are most effective when you combine them. It’s important to use 2 different types of product as it will make it easier.
Patches will deliver nicotine to your body throughout the day and lozenges or strips will provide immediate relief from cravings.
E-cigarettes / vapes – These are fast-acting, help you manage your nicotine cravings and they are far less harmful than cigarettes. If you have tried these before it might be worth adjusting your nicotine levels or trying a different model.
3. Join an online support group
During self-isolation social media is a useful tool for connecting and finding support from others, this is also true when it comes to quitting smoking. There are several support groups for those trying to quit on Facebook, including one for Wales specifically – Quit Smoking (Wales).
