Ready to go smoke free?
Congratulations on your decision to stop smoking - you’ve made a big step.
Once you know the risks of smoking, and all the benefits of quitting, you’ll know you’re making the right decision to quit.
- More money for you and your family
- Cleaner lungs and a stronger heart
- An improved sense of smell and taste
- Being a better role model for your children or grandchildren
- Less stress and anxiety
You’ll be surprised just how much money you’ll save and how much healthier you’ll be after just a few hours.
We’re here to help you on your journey to stop smoking. There’s never been a better time to quit.
Ways to quit
Remember you can try more than one option, and you may need to try several methods before deciding what is right for you. You might find that combining methods works best.
Trying to quit without the help of a health professional.
You can do this though:
- Using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) which can be bought from a pharmacy or supermarket
- Apps or website offering advice such as Fresh Quit or download the free NHS Quit Smoking app
- Using an e-cigarette or vape.
Getting support from a health professional to quit. This may include taking prescription medicines that can reduce cravings, having counselling, combining their support with the use of NRT, an e-cigarette or vape or a combination.
If you are admitted to hospital either planned or unplanned you can get support to quit or to manage your nicotine cravings through the Tobacco Dependency Service.
This may include acupuncture, hypnosis, homeopathy, herbal remedies or reflexology.
Tobacco Dependency Treatment Service
How we can help you
Smoking can seriously damage your health and harm your chances of a quick and successful recovery.
If you’re a patient who smokes, we’re here to help as part of your stay in hospital. The NHS Tobacco Dependency Treatment Service offers a full range of treatment and care to help you manage your tobacco dependency and support your quick recovery.
There’s never been a better time
Our NHS recognises the harms of smoking which is why all hospitals across the North East and North Cumbria now provide treatment for tobacco dependency to any patient who smokes, as part of their hospital care.
All hospitals in the North East and North Cumbria are now completely smoke-free, which means no smoking anywhere on our hospital sites. However, you can vape outside, away from our hospital entrances, exits, open windows and other people.
When you are admitted to hospital you will be offered medication and support from our Treating Tobacco Dependency Advisors to remain abstinent or to make a quit attempt while you are with us.
This is really important to give you the best chance of recovery. The good news is there are now very good treatments available to help you manage your dependency while you are in hospital and if you wish to stop smoking long term.
With the right support, you’re more likely to succeed
If you’re a patient who smokes, we’re here to help. The Tobacco Dependency Treatment Service can help improve your recovery whilst in hospital and after you leave.
If you decide that now’s the time to stop, you’re in good company; more and more smokers in the North East are now taking their first steps towards stopping whilst in hospital. With our help and support, you’re much more likely to stop successfully.
- Upon admission to hospital we’ll start with a chat and ask you if you smoke, this is part of our routine health check.
- If you do smoke, you’ll be offered nicotine replacement products to help manage any cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
- A member of our onsite Tobacco Dependency Team will then visit you to review what you have been given and discuss further treatment options and support available to you.
- We will work with you to agree a suitable treatment plan for your stay in hospital. If you want to stop long-term, we can arrange and provide ongoing support and medication for when you go home. You can opt-out if you do not wish any further support.
The Tobacco Dependency Advisor will arrange for you to continue to receive free support and nicotine replacement products or other stop smoking medications when you go home.
This may be through your community stop smoking services or through your local pharmacy. This means you will be fully supported with access to medication and the specialist advice you need for up to 12 weeks after you leave hospital.
Dr Ruth Sharrock North East Respiratory Consultant: “If you smoke, the single most important thing you can do to improve your health and chances of a successful recovery is to stop. Getting the right specialist support is now part of your treatment in hospital.”