Smokers in Trafford are being encouraged to get free support to quit smoking this national No Smoking Day (Wednesday 9 March) and join the thousands of other local residents who are making smoking history.
The plea is backed by NHS doctors and nurses who see first-hand the devastating impact smoking has on people’s lives. Between 2017 and 2019, 745 deaths in Trafford were attributable to smoking-related illness.
Dr Matt Evison, Clinical Lead for Greater Manchester’s tobacco control programme Make Smoking History, said:
“Smoking is unique in the destruction it causes to every single organ in the body. Every day I see patients who are living with terrible life-debilitating illnesses caused by smoking tobacco.
But the good news is that the body starts to repair itself as soon as you stop smoking. Within as little as 24 to 48 hours after your last cigarette, the carbon monoxide that is poisoning your bloodstream will have left your body and your lungs will be clearing out mucus. More importantly, the longer you are smokefree, the less you are at risk of having a heart attack or developing a serious illness like cancer or lung disease.”
In Trafford, smokers are able to get advice and support to stop smoking from pharmacies and GPs. An e-cigarette scheme is also in place for Trafford smokers looking to quit. Smokers who attend a participating pharmacy will have a consultation with an advisor to understand more about their current smoking behaviour, and will be given a free four-week starter e-cigarette kit. Regular support will be offered through the pharmacy, with further consultations after two and four weeks.
In the year 2019/20, 203 residents in Trafford were able to quit the habit for at least four weeks.
Councillor Jane Slater, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:
“There are over 20,000 smokers in Trafford and there is hope and support for everyone who wants to give up smoking.There are lots of reasons to quit and more importantly there are lots of ways to quit.
It can take people tens of attempts to quit but I would urge people to find out about the support on offer and get help to quit today. I quit over 30 years ago, so if I can do it anyone can.”
Visit www.makesmokinghistory.co.uk to get free access to the latest quitting aids, apps, information, one-to-one advice, and local support in Trafford.
You can access the Trafford e-cigarette scheme through Broomwood Pharmacy, C&T Pharmacy, Harry’s Pharmacy, Limelight Pharmacy, Malcolms Pharmacy and Mary Davey Chemists.
Posted on Wednesday 9th March 2022