Free NHS support for those wanting to quit smoking in the City and Hackney

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An NHS service providing free one-to-one support to those who want to stop smoking goes live next week. Smokefree City & Hackney is the stop smoking service for anyone who lives, works, studies or has a GP in the City of London or Hackney.

Research shows that smokers are three times more likely to quit with support and medication compared to quitting on their own.

The service, which launches on Monday 26 April, works with local GPs and pharmacies to provide support and stop smoking medication (free to those who don’t pay for prescriptions); all support sessions will be phone based for the time being.

Anyone who signs up to the free service will get 12 weeks of one-to-one support with a trained Stop Smoking Advisor. The first appointment will be a conversation with an advisor about why you smoke and why you want to quit, as well as any attempts you’ve made to stop in the past.

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The advisor will help you make a plan to quit smoking, including setting a quit date, and a prescription for any stop smoking products or medication you would like to use.

Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Community and Children’s Services Committee, Randall Anderson, said: “This is a valuable service to the City and one that will help many people who want to stop smoking.

“We know that stopping smoking can be hard, but you don’t have to do it on your own.

“There’s lots of support available to give you the help you need to give up cigarettes. You are more likely to stop smoking for good with the right support.”

To sign up to the service, or refer someone else, visit smokefreecityandhackney/referral or call our Freephone 0800 046 9946.

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