There are many options available to help you stop smoking, including one-to-one help and support.
0800 085 2113 (Mon –Fri office hours and out-of-hours answer phone)
0800 169 0 169 (open 7am-11pm everyday)
0800 169 9 169 (open 12pm-9pm everyday)
0800 00 22 00
The Stop Smoking Support Service enables you to receive support from a trained advisor, either on a one-to-one basis or as part of a group in a variety of locations with both daytime and evening sessions to suit your needs. Evidence shows that this kind of intensive support, combined with an appropriate form of stop smoking medication, such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), Zyban or Champix can increase long-term quit rates and you are four times more likely to succeed.
Some people prefer one-to-one help and support. Trained advisers can offer individual help that's tailored to your needs on a more personal and private level, either face-to-face or via our telephone consultation service if you are unable to attend the clinic sessions.
Groups are also run by our trained stop smoking advisors. Most groups meet for an hour once a week and are often referred to as 'rolling groups' as they allow you to drop in and out each week. You can either stay for the whole hour to chat or just pop in for 10 minutes - whatever suits you. The stop smoking advisor will be able to tell you about NRT, Zyban and Champix and help you get the appropriate medication on prescription. As well as benefiting from the support offered by the advisor, you'll also be able to share experiences and tips with your fellow quitters.
NHS Mid Essex Stop Smoking Service can offer a range of day time and evening sessions in a variety of locations across the area; Chelmsford, Witham, Braintree, Halstead, Maldon, and the Dengie Peninsular.
Smokers can also get help from a trained advisor within their GP practice or pharmacy.
Please contact our service for further information on FREEPHONE: 0800 085 2113 or alternatively contact your GP practice or local pharmacy direct to find out if they have a trained NHS Stop Smoking Advisor and to book an appointment.
Broomfield Hospital also has its own Stop Smoking Support Service available to inpatients, outpatients and staff. Support and NRT on prescription can be provided throughout your hospital stay. Upon hospital discharge, referral on to a community stop smoking support advisor can be arranged. If you are about to be admitted to hospital for an operation or procedure and you are worried about not being able to smoke whilst in hospital, please contact:
Lisa Humphreys: Broomfield Hospital Stop Smoking Advisor on tel: 01245 516638 for any further advice or information.
Most people underestimate the dangers of smoking. People often start when they're young and when health problems can seem a long way off. But nicotine addiction creates a life-long dependency on tobacco. As soon as you start smoking, you're more likely to suffer from minor illnesses - and, of course, you're dramatically increasing the risk of serious diseases later in life. The younger you start and the more cigarettes you smoke, the greater the risks you face, for example: heart attack, stroke, vascular and respiratory conditions.
The good news is that stopping works. Evidence shows that stopping smoking, even when you're well into middle age, will help you avoid most of the risk of developing cancer. If you stop before middle age, you'll avoid over 90 per cent of the health risks of smoking. Surveys show that at least 70 per cent of smokers would like to stop. The most important single factor is making a real commitment to stop, but people who use medication and get professional help can double their chances of success.
20 Minutes
Blood pressure and pulse return to normal. Circulation improves, especially to hands and feet.
8 hours
Blood oxygen levels increase to normal, and your chances of having a heart attack start to fall.
24 hours
Carbon monoxide leaves the body. The lungs start to clear out mucus and debris.
48 hours
Your body is now nicotine-free. Your senses of taste and smell begin to improve.
72 hours
Breathing is easier, and your energy levels increase.
2-12 weeks
Circulation improves throughout the body. Walking and exercise get easier.
3-9 months
Breathing problems, coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing improve. Lung efficiency increased by 5-10 per cent.
5 years
Risk of having a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
10 years
Risk of lung cancer falls to around half that of a smoker. Risk of a heart attack falls to about the same as someone who has never smoked.
Stopping smoking at any age increases your life expectancy provided you stop before you develop cancer or other serious disease. But even if damage has already been done, you can still benefit from stopping smoking by improving quality of life, as continuing to smoke will exacerbate any condition.
