Quit smoking in time for Christmas

Smoking

Christmas is only five weeks away but there is still time to give up smoking so you can enjoy a smoke free family Christmas.

The local Stop Smoking Service is urging smokers to kick the habit just in time for the festive season. If you manage to give up smoking for at least four weeks, you have a better chance of quitting for good, making now the ideal opportunity to try and give up in time for Christmas.

Ann Howarth, Stop Smoking Service Manager for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Community Healthcare, said: “Many people wait until the New Year to give quitting smoking a go but using Christmas as a target date can really help to keep you motivated. Plus, if someone who smokes 20 cigarettes a day quits before Christmas, you could save around £150 towards making this Christmas even more special.”

Research shows that you are four times more likely to quit using NHS support. The local stop smoking service can provide support to help you along your quit journey and advise on what medication and therapies might be right for you.

It’s now easier than ever to access the Stop Smoking Service. The team offer a number of flexible appointments and clinics so you can fit quitting around your daily routine. Choose from:

• Monday phone in clinic from 3pm to 6pm
• Wednesday drop in clinic at Penn Street Health Promotion Unit, 2pm to 6pm, taking advantage of free parking within Rochdale town centre from 3pm onwards
• Quit Clinics held within Boots stores in Heywood & Middleton every Saturday between 11:30am and 2:30pm
• Appointments for clinics in Rochdale Heywood and Middleton available

Alternatively there may be a pharmacy near you which offers a free support service. For more information about these, or about clinics and how the Stop Smoking Service can help you, call 01706 708001.