Ready to quit
You can quit smoking for good by choosing the right support and the right method.
People often find the craving for nicotine the hardest part of giving up smoking. If this sounds like you, don’t worry – there’s plenty of options to give you the extra support you may need.
Not every method works for everyone, it may take time to find the one that works best for you. The important thing is to not quit quitting.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)
As a smoker, your body will be used to receiving regular doses of nicotine.
If you stop smoking suddenly you may suffer from withdrawal symptoms. For example; bad moods and difficulty concentrating.
NRT helps by releasing lower levels of nicotine into the body, without the other poisonous chemicals found in cigarettes.
NRT includes:
- inhalators
- chewing gum
- skin patches
- tablets, strips and lozenges
- mouth and nasal sprays
Your GP can prescribe NRT or you can buy it from your local pharmacy. You can find more information about the different methods available on the NHS Smokefree website.
E-cigarettes or vapes
E-cigarettes, also known as vapes or e-cigs, can also be used to stop smoking. They're far less harmful than cigarettes and are used to inhale nicotine without the other harmful effects of smoking. For example, they do not produce the tar and carbon monoxide that normal cigarettes do. The vapour has been found to contain some potentially harmful chemicals also found in cigarette smoke, but at much lower levels.
Visit the NHS website for more information about using e-cigarettes to quit smoking. Our local stop smoking service can supply free vaping kits alongside other specialist support to help you quit smoking.
Stop smoking medication
Prescription tablets, that do not contain nicotine, are also available to help you stop smoking. These include Champix and Zyban, which are only available for people aged 18 or over.
If you have a pre-existing condition or you're pregnant, this option is not suitable.
With this method, you set a date to stop smoking and start taking the tablets one to 2 weeks before that date. These tablets can help you through the withdrawal symptoms by reducing your craving for a cigarette.
If you think this treatment could be right for you, our specialist advisers or your GP can provide you with more information, and support you on your journey.
You can also find more information about these different treatments on the NHS Smokefree website.
Talk with us
We can offer you support to tackle nicotine addiction. Get in touch to book a one to one appointment with an advisor.
