World No Tobacco Day: Hartlepool health chiefs' five top tips to give up smoking ahead of international campaign

This Sunday, May 31, is World No Tobacco Day, and the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has published its top five tips for quitting smoking.

Trust bosses say with the coronavirus pandemic when people are reflecting on the importance of theirs and our loved ones’ health, there has never been a better time to quit.

Smokers are also said to be at higher risk of contracting serious cases of Covid-19.

Deepak Dwarakanath, Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Not smoking is one of the best things anyone can do for their own health.

“Quitting is a real challenge and anyone who beats smoking deserves their own round of applause.

“North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has expert help on hand and our top quit smoking tips will also help. We’re here to help.

“Good luck to everyone who is making that tough but entirely positive decision to quit smoking.”

World No Tobacco Day is a World Health Organization (WHO) anti-smoking campaign. This year it is calling on young people to get on board.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s top tips to quit are:

:: Prepare – choose a quit date that's unlikely to be stressful and make sure you don't have any cigarettes, lighters or matches on you.

:: Get help – contact your local NHS stop smoking service for specialist support and advice. People in Hartlepool looking to quit can call Hartlepool Borough Council’s Community Connectors on (01429) 402814, 07747 856700, or (01429) 402815 and 07748 112784. The Smokefree app can be downloaded free from the App Store or Google Play.

:: Stay positive – remember all the reasons why you're quitting including feeling great, reduced health risks, and extra money in your pocket

:: Distract yourself from any cravings – talk to a friend or relative if you need support, go for a walk for a change of scene or keep busy.

:: Remember there's never ‘just one’ cigarette.

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