Giving Up Smoking

NHS

Local stop smoking services are free, friendly and can massively boost your chances of quitting for good.

These services staffed by expert advisers provide a range of proven methods to help you quit.

They'll give you accurate information and advice, as well as professional support, during the first few months you stop smoking.

They also make it easy and affordable for you to get stop smoking treatments, such as:

  • nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches or gum
  • medicines such as varenicline and bupropion (Zyban)

Some local services might also offer access to other types of support such as Allen Carr's Easyway.

One-to-one and group stop smoking sessions

You'll normally be offered a one-to-one appointment with an adviser, but many areas also offer group and drop-in services as well.

Depending on where you live, the venue could be a local GP surgery, pharmacy, high-street shop, or even a mobile bus clinic.

You may be able to join sessions by phone or video call if you cannot go in person.

Jennifer Percival, who trains stop smoking advisers, says that using both treatment and specialist support is proven to give you the best chance of stopping smoking.

"The majority of people who see an adviser will get through the first month after quitting without smoking a cigarette.

"Overall, you're up to 3 times more likely to stop smoking for good if you use a combination of stop smoking treatment and receive support from an NHS Stop Smoking Service." she says.

How to contact a stop smoking adviser

Your GP, pharmacist or health visitor can refer you, or you can phone your local stop smoking service to make an appointment with an adviser.

Find stop smoking services near you – Click here

Useful resources

At one time or another we can all feel overwhelmed. At times like these, it may be...
Each month we run an online support group for men on active surveillance - a form of...
We all have good and bad days but what and when we eat can influence our mood, energy,...
This includes: Raising awareness of depression and Aware NI services at a wide range of...
Fatigue support is a telephone programme which includes 4 appointments with a Specialist...
Informing Choices NI are currently supported by the Public Health Agency to undertake a...
There are a number of health campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness of...
Move for Men is your new monthly fitness and wellbeing membership, designed to help you...
Cancer Focus NI, Keeping Well vans are mobile drop-in units which bring health checks,...
We rely on our incredible volunteers to help us spread the word about prostate cancer,...
Prostate Cancer UK have a team of trained volunteers throughout the UK who carry out...
There is an increasing number of organisations / practitioners who are keen to involve...
A healthy diet and regular physical activity may help you manage the effects of prostate...
Call us for free, unbiased, confidential support and information. There's no such thing...
As part of this community, you can talk about whatever you want, from diagnosis to...
Every year over 7,000 men in Northern Ireland are diagnosed with cancer (including about...
Local support groups are a fantastic source of informal information and support for men...
This programme is a six week training programme for groups of adults and focuses on...
The important thing to remember when you’re affected by prostate disease is that you’re...
Learn to manage negative thoughts and look at problems differently
Guided meditations
Food diary, exercise tracker and diet coach
Active 10 is a free and easy to use walking app that tracks your walking and shows you...
Guided meditations
It’s an easy to follow programme known the world over, and perfect for those new to...
Your Mind Plan offers practical ideas and advice to help you boost and maintain your mental wellbeing. Answer the quick 5-question quiz and the Every Mind Matters widget will give you 5 tailored actions to help you feel more in control, improve your sleep, deal with stress and anxiety, and boost your mood – as well as the option to easily swap any actions and to save the whole plan via email.
Prostate Cancer UK launched a campaign to encourage men at higher risk of prostate cancer...