Quit smoking for good this year and breathe easier with free support in Walsall
Walsall residents seeking support to quit smoking are encouraged to use local services to achieve their New Year's resolutions and make 2025 the year to quit for good.
The call comes as new research by University College London shows that smokers who quit for a week could save a day of their whole life. The research also shows smoking is more harmful than previously thought, with every cigarette stealing on average approximately 20 minutes of life from smokers. This equates to nearly 7 hours of life lost when smoking an average pack of 20 cigarettes.
With the right support, residents are three times more likely to quit smoking successfully than doing it alone.
Any resident considering quitting for 2025 can access Be Well Walsall, with expert one to one support (digital, phone or in person) from a qualified health and wellbeing coach, alongside free nicotine replacement therapy.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust offers dedicated support for pregnant women to quit smoking, including behaviour change techniques and nicotine replacement therapy.
For inpatients who smoke or have recently smoked, the Trust's Tobacco Dependency Team offers comprehensive support within Walsall Manor Hospital. Trained staff work with individuals to help them quit smoking and provide access to free nicotine replacement therapy.
On Tuesday, 14 January between 10am and 1pm, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust will be joined by Be Well Walsall in Walsall Manor Hospital (opposite Costa Coffee on floor one) for any patients, staff, visitors or Walsall residents who would like stop smoking advice.
Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing at Walsall Council said: “The research showing the significant impact of smoking is a reminder of the urgent need to quit. Every cigarette steals precious minutes and quitting, even for a short period of time, can improve your health and wellbeing. Quitting for longer and for good brings more health benefits and can save you money.
“We’re committed to support residents on their journey to a smoke-free life. Getting free expert advice and support from local services is proven to give you the best chance of quitting successfully. I encourage anyone considering quitting to reach out to Be Well Walsall or the support on offer by Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.
“We want to move closer to the national 2030 Smokefree ambition and achieve our We are Walsall 2040 ambition, where people are healthy and living full and active lives.” Get support from Be Well Walsall by calling 01922 444044 or visit bww.maximusuk.co.uk
For more information about the Trust’s Smoking in Pregnancy service, call 01922 270477. The Tobacco Dependency team can be emailed on wht.tdt@nhs.net.
