MORE than 1,000 people quit smoking in Hartlepool in just 12 months.
New figures show 1,140 people in the town were helped to quit by the Teesside NHS Stop Smoking Service between April 2008 and March 2009.
Health chiefs say there are services available for people to quit smoking and appealed for people to come f
orward and get help to quit.
The NHS Stop Smoking Service, which offers help to people to quit smoking, was used by 477 men and 663 women in Hartlepool.
This can include intensive support through group therapy or one-to-one support.
The support is designed to be widely accessible in the local community and is provided by trained personnel, such as specialist smoking cessation advisors and trained nurses and pharmacists.
These services complement the use of pharmacotherapies, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), bupropion (Zyban) and the more recently introduced varenicline (Champix).
Pat Marshall, manager for Stockton and Hartlepool Stop Smoking Service, said: "Help us to help you. You are four times more likely to quit successfully with the expert help, advice and prescriptions (if appropriate) from the staff at your local NHS Stop Smoking Service.
"Take advantage of the support available just around your corner."
For anyone wanting further information on times and venues, they should contact Stockton and Hartlepool Stop Smoking Service on (01642) 635650.
Alternatively, they can text "AROUND" and their postcode to 88088, freephone 0800 0121612 or go to: www.nhs.gov.uk/gosmokefree.co.uk
