Free support available to help people quit smoking in Telford and Wrekin
People interested in quitting smoking in Telford and Wrekin are being reminded that help is at hand ahead of No Smoking Day (8th March).
Telford & Wrekin Council's Healthy Lifestyles team have specialist stop-smoking advisors who can offer personalised one-to-one support to residents for free, either over the phone or in person.
The service gives people the tools and confidence to stick to their stop-smoking goals, provides knowledge of local support and can advise on the correct us of nicotine replacement therapies.
Cllr Kelly Middleton (Lab), Cabinet Member for Leisure, Public Health and Wellbeing, Equalities and Partnerships, quit smoking a year ago with the help of a Stop Smoking Advisor.
Kelly chose to have regular one-to-one sessions over the phone with her Stop Smoking Advisor because of the flexibility.
Cllr Kelly Middleton, said:
"Being smoke-free has made a massive difference to how I feel physically and mentally.
"My concentration has improved, I am visiting the gym occasionally, and I have rediscovered my love of orange juice now my taste buds have returned!
"I've also saved thousands of pounds since I stopped smoking, which has been helpful during this cost of living crisis.
"I tried to quit smoking once before, but I did it on my own without support and was unsuccessful.
"This time, I had support from Lindsey, my stop smoking advisor.
"She was lovely and did a fantastic job keeping me on track and reminding me of my motivation to want to stop smoking.
"It just shows that it's never too late to quit or to try again; every time you try to stop smoking, you're a step closer to success.
"I recommend that anyone who wants help to quit should contact our Healthy Lifestyles Team and speak to a stop smoking advisor."
Catherine Sixsmith, a stop smoking advisor at Telford & Wrekin Council, said:
"Getting support boosts your chances of quitting - you're up to three times as likely to succeed.
"To help people set a quit date, we can look at what nicotine replacement therapies are available and suitable for each person.
"Everybody's quit is different, and everybody's expectations are different, so we tailor our support to people's needs to find the right way to achieve their goals.
"We have helped hundreds of people to quit smoking in Telford and Wrekin and stay quit, so please get in touch."
If you live or work in Telford and Wrekin, the Healthy Lifestyles team can support you for free and confidentially.
Book an appointment online at: https://www.telford.gov.uk/healthylifestyles
Or you can email: healthylifestyles@telford.gov.uk or telephone: 01952 382582
