Supporting you to stop smoking
You are four times more likely to quit successfully with the support of a trained advisor. They can provide expert guidance, motivation, and practical strategies tailored to your needs, making the process much easier than trying to do it alone.
Reducing Risk
Our specially trained Stop Smoking Advisors will work with you through a 12 week stop smoking programme. You and your Advisor will discuss a variety of products and support that can help you quit smoking.
With face-to-face support, you’re more likely to quit and we will support you every step of the way. The programme includes a 12-week free prescription for Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products such as vapes, patches or gum.
Why stop smoking?
One in every two long term smokers will die from a smoking related illness. The more you smoke, and the longer you wait to quit, the worse the risk.
Smoking can cause illness including:
- 16 different cancers
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- stroke and heart disease
- dementia
- diabetes
What happens when you quit?
After 20 minutes
Check your pulse rate, it will already be starting to return to normal.
After 8 hours
Your oxygen levels are recovering, and the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will have reduced by half.
After 48 hours
Your carbon monoxide levels have dropped to that of a non-smoker. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving.
After 72 hours
If you notice that breathing feels easier, it’s because your bronchial tubes have started to relax. Also your energy will be increasing.
After 2-12 weeks
Blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved
After 3-9 months
Any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases by up to 10%.
After 1 year
Great news! Your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker’s.
After 10 years
More great news! Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker’s.
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If you need support or have a question, don’t hesitate to get in touch
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How we've helped
After decades of smoking, Julie Wilson (63) and her daughter Tina Irving (43) decided to quit together, supporting each other every step of the way with the help of Nikki Williams, a Wellbeing for Life Community Connector. For Julie, the turning point came when her health began to suffer. A cleaner who is constantly on the...
Debbie Peel, 48, had tried quitting smoking many times over the years. But, with her health becoming increasingly affected and her asthma getting worse, she sought support and accessed the Wellbeing for Life (WBFL) Stop Smoking programme. This programme led to Debbie successfully stopping smoking and she is now noticing great improvements in her health. At...
From a chance meeting in a GP surgery, Tara* accessed the Stop Smoking programme with Wellbeing for Life (WBFL). A brief conversation led to 12 weeks of support, putting an end to decades of smoking. Tara has now completed a journey of being ‘so addicted that [she] didn’t think [she’d] ever be able to stop’ and...
*Margaret* had been smoking for decades when, following a routine GP visit, a health scare gave her the push she needed to want to stop smoking. Margaret had previously tried to quit unsuccessfully and had never tried again despite pressure from her family. Asked what made her more determined this time, Margaret said: “I got quite...
Local man and 15/19th The King’s Royal Hussar Veteran, 57-year-old Andy Denholm brought his blood pressure into healthy range, lost an incredible three stone and three pounds, improved his Body Mass Index (BMI) and mental health and is now embarking on a stop smoking programme. He achieved all of this with the support of the team...
Stop smoking resources
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Useful linkAdvice in County Durham makes it easier for you to access the right advice and support. Whether you are an individual looking for help and advice or... -
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Leaflet -
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Useful linkThe NHS has launched a free health and wellbeing quiz. Assess your lifestyle, get a score, and be signposted to the NHS tools and content to help... -
Useful linkHelping you to make decisions about your lifestyle, such as smoking, drinking and exercise.
Brought to you by Wellbeing for life
Offering advice and training to support behaviour change and improve health, wellbeing and learning opportunities.
