Help Someone to Quit
There are loads of different schemes available within the North Staffordshire Stop Smoking Service to help you, your friend, your Mum, your Dad, your Gran or anyone else you can think of to quit smoking!
Remember – if you want to help someone to quit – don’t be a nag! Someone will only quit smoking when they’re ready! Just provide them with all the info and be really supportive when they do decide to quit!
General Practice Scheme
Most GP practices across North Staffordshire (Stoke, Newcastle and the Staffordshire Moorlands) are involved in this scheme.
Practice Nurses and Health Care Support Workers are trained to provide mainly one-to-one quit smoking support.
The client has to attend once a week for 4-6 weeks. The first session lasts for approximately 20 minutes, and the following sessions last for approximately 10 minutes.
The stop smoking advisor will help the client to think through how they can prepare for quitting, as well as supporting them in staying stopped.
If the client doesn’t have to pay for their prescriptions, then they will be able to get Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) e.g. patches, chewing gum, etc, for FREE through this scheme (they will be assessed to see if NRT is suitable for them). If they have to pay for their prescriptions, then the NRT will be charged at the normal prescription price (which is still much cheaper than buying NRT over the counter).
Referrals
Client to contact their own GP Practice to find out what support is available.
Pharmacy Scheme
Trained pharmacists offer one-to-one weekly support sessions over 4-6 weeks. The first session lasts for approximately 20 minutes and the following sessions last for approximately 10 minutes.
The stop smoking advisor will help the client to think through how they can prepare for quitting, as well as supporting them in staying stopped.
If the client doesn’t have to pay for their prescriptions, then they will be able to get Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) e.g. patches, chewing gum, etc, for FREE through this scheme (they will be assessed to see if NRT is suitable for them). If they have to pay for their prescriptions, then the NRT will be charged at the normal prescription price (which is still much cheaper than buying NRT over the counter).
Referrals
Client to call the North Staffordshire Stop Smoking Service for free on 0800 085 0928, to find out where their nearest participating pharmacist is located. They will then need to phone the pharmacy to make an appointment.
Pregnancy Scheme
Specialist midwives provide support to pregnant women, their partners and family members who want to quit.
One-to-one support is provided, usually in the client’s home, for the length of the pregnancy.
Referrals
Client to phone Wendy Dudley, the Specialist Smoking Cessation Midwife on (01782) 552454.
Support for Young People
Occasionally, support may be available in Schools to help young people to quit, delivered by School Nurses, Youth Workers, etc.
If support is not available within the School, young people can access quit smoking support through any of the schemes above. At present, young people (under 16) who would like to use Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) e.g. patches, chewing gum, etc, have to see their own GP, so their suitability for NRT can be assessed. The prescription of NRT is then at the GP’s discretion.
Referrals
Client to speak to their School Nurse, Youth Workers, etc, to see if they have been trained to deliver quit smoking support.
Signal One Smokebusters
Signal One Smokebusters is a free club for 10 – 15 year olds who don’t smoke or who want to quit smoking.
To join the club and to receive a free membership pack containing Smokebusters goodies, discount vouchers and information on smoking, ask the young person to phone (01782) 400528, or they can join online, see Join Today for an online application form.
NHS Smoking Helpline and Website
Provides advice and support for all smokers.
The client can telephone them for free on 0800 169 0 169 or visit their website at www.gosmokefree.co.uk. If they’re 14 or older, then they can get support to quit through information packs, text messages, emails or phone calls – just click on the Together Programme.
The Telephone Helpline is open from 7:00am – 11:00pm, and Quit Smoking Counsellors are available from 10:00am – 9:00pm. An answerphone is available outside these hours.
Please note, people are much more likely to quit smoking if they attend a specific scheme rather than trying to quit on their own. Using NRT also double’s a person’s chances of quitting.
