A Manchester support service will hold weekly drop-in sessions to help those who tried to stub out their habit for No Smoking Day.
Around one million people tried to kick the butt for No Smoking Day, however taking the first steps is only the beginning for ditching the habit.
Manchester Stop Smoking will be holding drop-in sessions every Wednesday to help people trying to kick the butt.
The NHS support service held an event at Manchester Town Hall to kick off the initiative, which will provide guidance and tips for those attempting to quit.
Abbie Paton, the Service Development Advisor for Stop Smoking Manchester, told MM: “Relapsing is an expected part of giving up, you are changing a complex behaviour, and so it does happen.
“Quitting is like learning a new skill and every time you try more likely to stop than the time before.
“Research shows that most people are more likely to stop if they have the help of an advisor and use a nicotine replacement therapy.”
The initiative starts Wednesday March 19, and will run from 11-2pm in the Rates Rooms in Manchester Town Hall.
People will be able to see a community stop smoking specialist, who will discuss their habit and any failed attempts to quit in the past.
From there they can see what was helpful, and look what they can do going forward.
Smokers can also find what nicotine replacement services are on offer, and receive a voucher that which gives them money off treatments.
Andrea Crossfield, Chief Executive of Tobacco Free Futures, a social enterprise committed to tackling tobacco across Greater Manchester and the North West, urged people to use the service.
“The tobacco industry works hard to keep people smoking,” she told MM.
“No Smoking Day is a great chance for the estimated 494,000 smokers across Greater Manchester break away from their addiction and start to feel the health and financial benefits of becoming smoke-free.
“Longer-term, those who stop smoking reduce their risk of heart disease and lung cancer as well as protecting others from their second hand smoke.”
Stop Smoking Manchester has also been riding on the social shift focused on second hand smoke through the Manchester Smoke Free Homes Scheme.
The scheme is aimed at those who aren’t ready to stop smoking, but want to protect their children.
People take a pledge to smoke outside of the house and car, and has seen 2200 people sign up over last year.
For Information or support on quitting, click here.
Image courtesy of waferboard, via Flickr, witht thanks.
