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Over 1,400 people admitted to hospital in Havering due to smoking as Havering Council joins Stoptober.

23rd October 202423rd October 2024 Francesca Lilleystone Havering Counci, Smoking, Stopober min read

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Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death, killing around 64,000 people in England in 2019.

In Havering over 1,400 people were admitted into hospital due to smoking. (Figures from Fingertips)

It can be hard to quit smoking and so we offer Havering residents the following free stop smoking support services to help them break the habit.

Community Pharmacy Stop Smoking Service

A service offered by selected pharmacies within the borough.

It includes face to face consultations and free nicotine replacement products to support you on your quit journey.

The service is available at the following pharmacies in Havering.

Ardleigh Green Pharmacy, 100 Ardleigh Green Road, Hornchurch RM11 2LG
Crescent Pharmacy, 65 Masefield Crescent, Harold Hill RM3 7PB
Mim Pharmacy, 118 North Street, Romford RM1 1DL
Asvacare Ltd Pharmacy, 197 Rush Green Road, Romford RM7 0JR
Orchard Village Pharmacy, Mick Fury House, Lowen Road, Rainham RM13 8HT
Williams Dispensing Chemist, 139A Wennington Road, Rainham RM13 9TR

Free Specialist Advisor Stop Smoking Service

A free stop smoking service with tailored support to meet your needs, delivered either face to face within the community or virtual.

Havering residents, 18 years + can receive regular behaviour support alongside free nicotine replacement products and vape starter kits.

This service is also suitable for pregnant women and new parents to support a smokefree pregnancy and a smokefree home.

To refer yourself to the service please complete the online form (Opens in new tab)and someone from the team will be in touch with you shortly.

Alternatively, you can contact the service by phone 020 8724 8018 or email at healthy.lifestyles@lbbd.gov.uk.

Reasons to stop smoking when pregnant

You’re doing the best thing for your baby’s health
The chances of having a miscarriage or still birth are reduced
You’ll minimise the risk of cot death (SIDS)
Your baby is less likely to be born early (premature) or underweight
Stopping smoking will help your baby in later life – some people suffer from asthma and other serious illnesses if their mother smoked while pregnant
Your child(ren) will be less likely to become a smoker/smokers

If you don’t want to join the new local service then there are lots of websites, apps and other resources out there to help you quit, including the Stop Smoking London support service which you can access by telephone or website.

Switching to vaping – Swap to Stop

If you have tried all other methods of stopping without success, we are here to support you.

You will receive 8 weeks behavioural support from one of our specialist advisors, a free vape kit and patches if required.

Visit the Swap to Stop Joy App page (Opens in new tab) to make contact and someone from the team will get in touch.

Why vape?

There is growing evidence that vaping is one of the most effective aids to stopping smoking.

Vaping is 95 percent less harmful than smoking cigarettes.

Using a vape can help you manage your nicotine cravings and is particular effective when used alongside behaviour support.

There is a reduced chance of relapse with behavioural support.

To get the best out of it, make sure you’re using it as much as you need to and with the right strength of nicotine in your e-liquid.

You won’t get the full benefit from vaping unless you stop smoking cigarettes completely.

The Independent British Vape Trade Association (Opens in new tab) has details of local registered retailers.

Get more information about e-cigarettes on the NHS website (Opens in new tab).

Stop Smoking London Helpline

0300 123 1044

You can also visit the Stop Smoking London website (Opens in new tab) to learn more about the reasons you smoke and how you can use this to make a personalised quit plan.

Benefits of quitting

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your health and wellbeing.

How it will help you

Just pop in to one of these pharmacies and make an appointment with the pharmacist.

The sooner you book that first appointment, the sooner you start your quit journey and can start seeing the benefits.

Did you know, you are three times more likely to successfully quit when you have support such as behaviour support with medication combined than using willpower alone.

Further useful information

Councillor Gillian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, told the Havering Daily:

“Smoking can seriously affect your physical health and reduce your life expectancy by 10 years. Smoking also impacts those around you. By stopping smoking you’ll see the benefits almost straight away, not only in your health, but also in your finances.

“We know it can be difficult to stop, but local support is available and you are more likely to succeed if you seek help. The Council now has a specialist adviser service and six local pharmacies providing free advice and support to help people who smoke to quit.”

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