Smokers get help to quit
A national TV and radio advertising campaign has been launched today to encourage smokers to quit.
From today smokers can pick up a new and improved NHS Quit Kit from thousands of pharmacies across England to help them stop smoking.
The campaign aims to increase the number of quit attempts by smokers and to help make those quit attempts more successful. It will run until 31 March 2012.
More than 7,000 pharmacies across England have already signed up to distribute Quit Kits in 2012 - nearly double the number of participants in 2011.
More about the Quit Kit
The NHS Quit Kit has been developed by experts, smokers and ex-smokers, and contains practical tools and advice to help smokers quit smoking for good.
For the first time, the Quit Kit includes a new text support programme to give smokers extra help in those tough first weeks.
Other items include:
- a health/wealth wheel, which helps quitters calculate how much they are saving and the improvements they will see to their health
- tips on how to improve and boost willpower, incuding a quitting planner which helps quitters identify smoking triggers and offers tips on managing cravings
- MP3 downloads that are scientifically proven to reduce cravings
- a wall chart to map progress
- a ‘tangle’ toy to help keep hands busy
- information on other free quitting help such as local Stop Smoking Services
For more information and to find participating pharmacy stockists, visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree
Information for pharmacies
Any pharmacies wanting to stock Quit Kits that have not already expressed an interest are still able to participate.
Independent pharmacies and smaller chains with fewer than 10 branches should call 0800 678 3173 and larger chains should email smokefree@dh.gsi.gov.uk