‘Quit Kit’ to help smokers stop

‘Quit Kit’ to help smokers stop

A new free ‘Quit Kit’ has been launched by the NHS to help smokers kick the habit this New Year, for good.

Designed by experts and smokers, the Quit Kits provide smokers with a range of aids to help them give up, including a “health and wealth” wheel to calculate the money saved by ditching their cigarettes.

Ann Howarth, Stop Smoking Services Manager from Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Community Healthcare, said: “Every January we receive an increase in the number of calls to our service but the reality is that only one in four people who try to quit actually succeed.”

The new kit includes a “train to win” willpower assessor, helping quitters to spot smoking triggers, and how to avoid them. Two MP3 downloads with breathing and movement exercises scientifically proven to help reduce cravings, are also included.

Ms Howarth said: “Smoking is an extremely difficult habit to quit as it takes a great deal of effort and willpower. The new kits have been designed to give smokers practical tools to strengthen their willpower and beat cravings that so often get the better of them.”

A “tangle” stress toy is included to occupy hands that may be longing to hold a cigarette with a “Quit Plan” wall chart to map their progress.

A toothbrush is also provided to remind smokers of the benefits of fresher breath and cleaner teeth, as a result of quitting.

Ms Howarth added: “Research shows that you are four times more likely to quit smoking using NHS support, so by using the kit and contacting us at the stop smoking service, you will have a much better chance of kicking the habit.”

The local stop smoking service can be contacted on 01706 708000.

Quit Kits are available by calling the NHS Smoking Helpline 0800 0665 826 or visiting: www.nhs.uk/smokefree.