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Thousands quit smoking in the South West thanks to NHS Stop Smoking Services
Thousands of people across the South of England have quit smoking with the help of local NHS Stop Smoking Services according to the latest figures released today by the NHS Information Centre.
Local NHS Stop Smoking Services helped almost 16,000 people across the South West kick the habit between April and September last year. Half of the local people who set out to quit smoking with NHS help achieved their goal to be smoke free.
The Director of Public Health for NHS South of England, Dr Gabriel Scally, said: “It’s great to see that so many people have quit smoking with help from the NHS. Across the south, there are thousands of success stories thanks to the free support services provided by the NHS locally.
“People are four times more likely to quit with support from NHS Stop Smoking Services than if they go it alone. Anyone who has tried to quit for 2012 should remember that there’s a great deal of expert help available.”
A range of free NHS help and services are available to help people quit, including NHS Quit Kits available from local pharmacies and telephone and online support groups. For details of your local NHS Stop Smoking Service call 0800 022 4 332 or enter your postcode at www.nhs.uk/smokefree. To find your nearest stockist of the NHS Quit Kit text ‘SEARCH’ and your postcode to 88088 or search online at www.nhs.uk/smokefree
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Notes to Editors
- To arrange an interview call Jonathan Cramp, Communications Manager at the South West Strategic Health Authority on 01823 361362.
- To find out about local stop smoking services and arrange a local interview contact your local Primary Care Trust http://www.southwest.nhs.uk/otherNHSorganisations.html
- The latest Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services: England, April 2011 to September 2011 (Q2 – Quarterly report) are available on the NHS Information Centre website. There are figures available at local PCT level.
- NHS South of England comprises South Central, South East Coast and South West Strategic Health Authorities.
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