Smokers in London who have not yet tried quitting for Stoptober or who may be flagging, are being urged to call a free Stop Smoking London helpline for free personalised support to help them stop smoking for good.
Stop Smoking London has released a series of videos, featuring some of its helpline staff, in a bid to give more Londoners the confidence to give telephone helplines and face to face smoking cessation support a try. In the videos, Stop Smoking London advisors Debby and Gareth explain what the eight-week programme entails and how they and their colleagues can help smokers overcome cravings, triggers and achieve their goal of becoming an ex-smoker.
Smokers are also three times as likely to stop smoking successfully with support from a stop smoking service [1]. In depth interviews with London smokers carried out by Blue Grass Research on behalf of Stop Smoking London in 2022 revealed that the fear of quitting is a barrier to stopping smoking [2]. This includes fear of missing out, skepticism around what support might offer and that many smokers are simply not aware that free stop smoking support exists.
Tracy Parr, Programme Director for Stop Smoking London said: “Stop Smoking London’s services are free and easily accessible online and by phone. At the end of the phone is a friendly advisor to start you on our eight-week telephone programme or to help you find a local face to face service near you. Our aim is to highlight the faces behind the helpline to help make more Londoners who smoke aware that help exists and encourage them to give us a call.”
Smokers in London who want to stop smoking are urged to visit the Stop Smoking London website at www.stopsmokinglondon.com/stoptober and call its friendly, confidential helpline on 0300 123 1044 for free, personalised, one-to-one support to help you quit.
From avoiding using willpower alone, to embracing past failure, Stop Smoking London’s advisors’ five tips to becoming an ex-smoker are:
Use proven approaches
Addictions can be difficult to break on your own, so stopping smoking doesn’t mean you need to do it alone. Find out more about support products and services, including how to use ‘clean nicotine’ sources like patches, inhalators, gum and e-cigarettes correctly on the Stop Smoking London website or by speaking to one of its experienced advisors by phone.
Focus on what you will gain, not what you will miss
Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK. Not only are you potentially adding 10+ years to your life, but you will also start to see a noticeable improvement in your bank balance that could help you save thousands of pounds towards the cost of living over the next 12 months.
Get 1:1 support
Statistics show that you are three times more likely to stop smoking successfully with support from a stop smoking advisor. Take advantage of a free eight-week course of telephone support with one of Stop Smoking London’s team of dedicated advisors or find a stop smoking service in your local area.
Get your hands on the right products – and use them correctly
Nicotine replacement therapy has been widely used for many years to help people stop smoking. While nicotine is the addictive substance in cigarettes, it’s also relatively harmless. From replacing tobacco with an e-cigarette, to combining patches with quick release tools to help you beat cravings, Stop Smoking London’s helpline advisors will be able to explain the best way to use these products.
Don’t let fear of relapsing get in your way
Every time you quit you are closer to success. Even if you have tried and relapsed in the past, it is not the end of the world. You can start again. Find tools and support via the Stop Smoking London helpline: www.stopsmokinglondon.com
