Hartlepool smokers urged to pack it in for good

Smokers are being urged to take the first step in giving up cigarettes for good.
Pat Marshall, Stop Smoking Service lead for Stockton and Hartlepool.Pat Marshall, Stop Smoking Service lead for Stockton and Hartlepool.
Pat Marshall, Stop Smoking Service lead for Stockton and Hartlepool.

And they can do it with help from the stop smoking team at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust.

The annual No Smoking Day campaign starts tomorrow to encourage smokers to give up the habit for good.

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A full package of support is planned throughout the Tees Valley.

People can get support and advice from 10am to 2pm at a stall in the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre in Hartlepool.

An information barrow will also be available in the main concourse at the University Hospital of North Tees.

Pat Marshall, Stop Smoking Service lead for Stockton and Hartlepool, said: “Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to stop smoking.

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“For some people it is about making a lifestyle change – to be healthier or get fit, or to save money.

“For others, it’s about the way their smoking affects the people close to them, such as their family and friends.

“No matter what their reasons, if people are thinking about quitting smoking, their best chance of success is to visit one of their local stop smoking sessions.

“NHS trained advisers offer friendly and non-judgemental help to smokers at drop in stop smoking sessions and also from a number of pharmacies and GP practices across Teesside.

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“We tailor the support individually to give each individual smoker the best possible chance of quitting.”

Pat added: “Quitters feel fitter, save money, have better skin and teeth, are less anxious and reduce the risk of any serious smoking related diseases – they make a big positive change in their lives.”

Stop smoking service lead for Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland Joanna Feeney said: “No Smoking Day provides the perfect opportunity for people to join others attempting to quit on the same day.

“People are four times more likely to quit smoking if they come along to one of our events and get help from the stop smoking service.”

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To find out how to can get help stopping smoking, visit www.nth.nhs.uk/services/stop-smoking-service/.

Alternatively, call (01642) 383819 and join the conversation with the trust by following @NTeesHpoolNHSFT on Twitter.

They can chat to specialist stop smoking advisors and share their experience using the hashtags #proudteesquitter and #NoSmokingDay.