 The
Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service is congratulating
people in Sheffield who are taking control
of their health, after the number of people
who contacted the service last year was
up by 70% on the year before.
Ten months ago the
Sheffield Smoking Cessation Service re-branded
under the new more user friendly name of
the Sheffield Stop Smoking Service, and
embarked on a major campaign to tell people
in the city about the service and the support
it provides.
Health leaders are
sure that the recent 70% increase means
people are more aware of the dangers of
smoking on health and are taking more responsibility
for their health.
Malcolm Simpson of
the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service said:
"The 70% increase in enquiries is a
great achievement for both the service and
for the health of the city. It is a clear
demonstration that many people do want to
quit smoking and are keen to use the advice
and support of the service in doing so.
"From the increase
in enquiries we are keen to increase the
numbers of people successfully quitting,
as well as teaching more people about the
health dangers of smoking and encouraging
them not to start smoking in the first place.
"For us it was
important to take part in a campaign that
would make as many people in Sheffield aware
of the service as possible. We are here
to help and people in the city need to know
that, and know their chances of succeeding
in a quit attempt are significantly increased
when they come to us."
The service has worked
on the campaigns in partnership with Sheffield-based
marketing and communications company diva
creative. Successful campaigns that they
are running include: a Look Good Feel Good
campaign aimed at people who are already
thinking about their health and how to improve
it, with billboards and leaflets in the
city’s sports arenas; a Cold Turkey
campaign aimed at young people, to educate
them about the dangers of smoking and encourage
them not to take up the habit; a Smoke Free
Baby campaign to encourage pregnant women
and their families to stop smoking; and
a Cost a Packet campaign to raise awareness
of the significant financial cost of smoking.
The service, which
provides comprehensive support to Sheffield
people who would like to give up smoking,
including quit groups, one to one support,
and access to NRT and Bupropion, believes
the campaigns are a good way to make sure
people in Sheffield keep the freephone number
in their heads so that even if they are
not yet ready to contact them, they have
the details to hand for the future.
For free support
in giving up smoking on the Sheffield NHS
Stop Smoking Service freephone number 0800
068 4490.
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