Tag: Quit Your Way

North Edinburgh residents invited to No Smoking Day event in Pilton

Health charity ASH Scotland is urging North Edinburgh residents to attend an event organised by the Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP) on No Smoking Day tomorrow (Wednesday 8 March).

People who smoke and attend the event in PCHP’s Community Hub at 73 Boswall Parkway between 12 midday and 1pm will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from the charity and NHS Lothian’s Quit Your Way service, which provides person-centred support to help stop smoking attempts.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland said: “Our charity’s theme for No Smoking Day is ‘Quit and Win’ and, through our campaigning and engagement at this event hosted by Pilton Community Health Project, we look forward to encouraging more people in NorthEdinburgh to make attempts to quit smoking to benefit their health, wellbeing and personal finances.”

Dawn Anderson, Director of PCHP said: “We are delighted to support our Community Wellbeing partnerASH Scotland with its No Smoking Day campaign and encourage people who smoke, their families, friends and neighbours to come along, share some lunch, and tell their stories about smoking, quitting or trying to quit.  They will also have the chance to get some personalised advice from the experts about the best way for them to stop.

“The informal event will include lunch and those who take part will also receive a small gift card to thank them for sharing their experiences. We hope people who have already given up smoking will also come along and offer support to those starting out on their quit journey.”

If you live in North Edinburgh and would like to register for the event contact PCHP on 0131 551 1571 or email Dawn Anderson on dawnanderson@pchp.org.uk .

Anyone who has the goal of giving up smoking but unable to attend the event can contact a Quit Your Way adviser by calling the free helpline on 0800 848484 or create a quit plan at www.quityourway.scot. 

Gordon Macdonald MSP urges Edinburgh smokers to ‘Quit Your Way’

Gordon MacdonaldMSP has backed national No Smoking Day by urging Edinburgh residents to consider giving up smoking to improve both mental and physical health.

The MSP is supporting a campaign led by health charity, ASH Scotland, which is encouraging people to ‘Quit Your Way’ in ways which work best for individual circumstances by seeking advice and support from stop smoking services, community pharmacies or the national Quit Your Way Scotland service run by NHS 24.

Although smoking rates in NHS Lothian health board area dropped to 18 per cent in 2018, more progress is required if the Scottish Government’s ambitious target of reducing the rate to five per cent or less by 2034 is to be met.

Gordon MacdonaldMSP said: “I am pleased to be supporting ASH Scotland’s No Smoking Day campaign and urge my constituents in Edinburgh Pentlands who smoke to reach out to stop smoking services and community pharmacies who provide free support and can help develop a personalised quit plan.

“I encourage people to try quitting again, if a previous attempt did not work. ASH Scotland advises me that some people find giving up cigarettes or tobacco easier than they had thought but, for others, it can take a number of attempts. It is worth giving quitting smoking another go for the benefits to both mental and physical health.”

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have Gordon Macdonald MSP’s support for our No Smoking Day campaign encouraging herconstituents in Edinburgh Pentlands.

“Nicotine is highly addictive but, with the right support to meet individual needs, quitting smoking your way can quickly improve mental health and, within a year of stopping, the risk of coronary heart disease reduces by half compared to someone who smokes.”

Anyone in Lothian who has the goal of giving up smoking can get in touch with Lothian’s Quit Your Way team on Facebook or phone the Quit Your Way Scotland’s national helpline on 0800 848484. More information is also available at www.quityourway.scot.

Smoker? Don’t Wait!

New stop smoking campaign urges people to quit now

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Lothian, have partnered together to support those who wish to quit smoking, by launching a new campaign; ‘Don’t Wait’.

Smoking remains a leading cause of preventable disease and premature death in Scotland, and this joint campaign between Scotland’s three largest health boards focuses on the harms smoking can cause and the range of free NHS stop smoking services available to help stub out the addiction.

The campaign features NHS respiratory consultant, Dr Colin Church, emphasising it’s never too late to see the benefits that come from quitting smoking. Watch the video here.

Robbie Preece, Tobacco Control Programme Manager, NHS Lothian, added: “Working across the three largest boards in Scotland allows us to share resources and we’re aiming to have a larger impact with this campaign.

“We are offering telephone and video support, and relaying the key message that quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health.”

Geraldine Lucas, Tobacco Control Lead, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Working in partnership with colleagues across the central belt will allow us to raise the profile of our Quit Your Way stop smoking services which have continued to offer information, advice and support, including nicotine replacement therapy or Champix to people who smoke throughout the pandemic.

“Smoking tobacco damages the lungs and airways causing a range of severe respiratory problems and right now, more than ever, we want to encourage all people who smoke to give quitting a go.”

Shirley Mitchell, Tobacco Control Programme Manager, NHS Lanarkshire commented: “It’s inspiring to see that people are still looking to quit smoking, during such challenging times.

“We have adapted our services, in line within coronavirus restrictions, to be able to continue to support not only those looking to quit, but also their family members and anyone who has queries in regards to stopping smoking.

 “Through partnership working, we will be in a much stronger position to raise awareness of this free NHS service available.”

Smoking is linked to many illnesses and long-term conditions, substantially increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, stroke and cancer.

Quit Your Way is a free NHS stop smoking service. To find out more about the stop smoking services and to access the best support to quit in your area, call the Quit Your Way helpline service on 0800 84 84 84 or visit QuitYourWay.scot.

Quit Your Way can be contacted Monday – Friday from 9am until 5pm.

You can also visit your local Community Pharmacy for FREE stop smoking support.