Stopping smoking in the UK - the NHS can help
If you are living in the UK, and you want to give up smoking, your first port of call could well be your local GP’s practice, where nowadays you will generally find a smoking cessation clinic, or stop smoking service. The smoking cessation clinic is generally run by a nurse, or other health professional, who will be able to advise you about the ways in which you can quit, and offer guidance as you go through the process of adapting to life without cigarettes.
For some people nicotine patches can help, and for others a special type of inhaler, which resembles a cigarette, can do the trick in helping with those first few difficult weeks of quitting. Some people find that nicotine chewing gum helps them a lot. Generally, patches, chewing gum and inhalers are provided free by the clinics, as long as you continue to attend. The clinics can also advise you on things such as joining a group of fellow quitters for moral support.
A lot of people find that attending a clinic is an easier way to give up smoking than simply going it alone.
For more information about what the NHS has to offer take a look at
where you can find loads of useful tips about how to get started, and how to find help.
If you would rather talk to someone, there is always the NHS Smoking Helpline:
0800 169 0 169
where you can speak to a specialist adviser, and lines are open every day from 7.00am to 11.00pm.
It’s nice to know that you’re not alone, and that there is a whole service full of professionals, willing and trained to help.
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