The
Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service is celebrating,
after recording a 250% increase in the number
of smokers who have quit through the service
over the past two years.
In the last year
alone, over 2500 smokers successfully quit
with the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking
Service.
John Soady, Assistant
Director of Public Health at Sheffield West
Primary Care Trust, said: "We're delighted
to see such a substantial increase in the
number of people successfully quitting through
the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service.
“If all 2500
former smokers continue to be non-smokers,
collectively they will enjoy over 20,000
extra years of life.
"If however,
any individuals relapse and start smoking
again, the Stop Smoking Service will be
available to get them back on track."
He added: "Smokers
who sign up to an NHS Stop Smoking programme
are about ten times more likely to quit
successfully than people who try to give
up unaided."
Smokers who quit
through the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service
can start enjoying the many benefits of
being a non-smoker within minutes of giving
up.
After just 20 minutes
of not smoking, blood pressure returns to
normal, and after just 24 hours the lungs
start to clear out the build up of tar.
48 hours later nicotine will have almost
cleared out of the body. After a few weeks
exercise will be easier and after five years
the risk of a heart attack is halved. In
those same five years a 20-a-day smoker
will have saved around £9,000.
The Sheffield
NHS Stop Smoking Service offers quit programmes
in a group format at venues throughout the
city, and on a one-to-one basis with an
advisor through medical practices, community
pharmacies and dental practices. The Sheffield
Service can be contacted by ringing the
freephone number 0800 068 4490 (callers
will not be charged). All programmes include
the offer of nicotine replacement therapy,
or Zyban, on prescription.
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