Drop-in sessions to help you stub it out

STICKING to that New Year's Resolution to quit smoking could be made easier this January with help from the Hastings and Rother NHS Stop Smoking Service.

The team runs a range of groups and drop-in sessions at locations across the area, where nicotine replacement therapy can be prescribed and support and advice given.

Drop-in sessions include Friday meetings at Bexhill Health Centre in the grounds of Bexhill Hospital from 8am until 10am and from 2-4pm and Friday sessions at the Pelham Hotel, Holliers Hill from 6-8pm. The sessions start next Friday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Primary Care Trust senior health promotion advisor Stuart Ramsbottom said: "Smoking is the main cause of preventable illness and premature death, with most smokers dying from lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g. bronchitis and emphysema) or coronary heart disease.

"The local stop smoking service helps hundreds of people to quit each year, so we'd encourage anyone who wants to stop smoking to get in touch with us."

Anyone wanting further information on the local support available to help them stop smoking is invited to attend a drop-in session, call the Hastings and Rother NHS Smoking Helpline on 01424 457153 or contact their GP practice.

r SMOKING shelters are to be pulled down as staff and patients are asked to take a 'zero tolerance' approach to smoking at the Conquest Hospital.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lighting up has been banned at any East Sussex Hospitals Trust premises, including Bexhill Hospital.

Sue Bliss, Stop Smoking advisor from Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: "Creating a smoke free environment provides an excellent opportunity to break the habit.

"The NHS Smokefree campaign has recently launched a helpful new website '“ www.justgiving.com/smokefree which allows quitters to create their own personalised sponsorship web page.

"They can then ask family and friends to sponsor them to give up smoking for good, with the money raised going to the quitter's charity of choice.

"It's hoped that this will really encourage more people to quit in 2007."

For information on giving up smoking contact the PCT's line on 01424 457153.

Related topics: