Free NHS quit smoking kits from your NW Asdas

Selected Asda stores from across the North West are providing 500 free Quit Kits to help people stop smoking in the New Year. The initiative is part of the Department of Health’s New Year quit campaign called ‘Right Tools For The Job’ launched today with new research that shows almost half of smokers (44%) in England have resolved to quit in 2010.

 When asked what would help smokers to quit:

• more than half (54%) of smokers wanted help to manage cravings
• one third of smokers wanted tools and advice to strengthen willpower
• nearly a third (32%) simply want something to do with their hands
• nicotine gum and patches were the most popular aids to quitting, with 42% of smokers planning on using a Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) such as gum or patches this new year

The new free Quit Kit contains tools that that have either been scientifically proven to help reduce cravings or have been developed in response to smokers’ needs. These include details of Lancashire Stop Smoking Services, where people can access stop smoking medicines and nicotine replacement treatments. Other useful tools include a ‘health & wealth’ wheel to calculate how much money you are saving, a progress chart, a podcast that helps reduce cravings and a number of distraction tools.

“New Year is a time when people try and make resolutions that will improve their lives – often with financial and health benefits. We want to be able to help people who decide to go smoke free in 2010 by providing them with useful tools, advice and support.” says Andrea Crossfield, Director of Smokefree North West. “Quitting is not easy but it can be made less difficult with the right support and tools. I’d urge anyone planning to quit this New Year to visit their local Asda to get a Quit Kit, call the national helpline or call their local stop smoking services.”

People will be able to get the Quit Kit from visiting the pharmacy in their local Asda or calling the national helpline on 0800 0665 826. Additional advice and support on quitting is available from Local Stop Smoking Services.

12,753 people in the North West died from smoking related illnesses in 2009. Research has shown that smokers who quit with NHS support are up to four times more likely to succeed.

The NHS recommends the following top tips to help people quit: 

1. Get the right tools before you go smoke free e.g. the NHS Quit Kits.
2. Get support from professionals at your local stop smoking service who can understand what you are going through and help you beat the addiction.
3. Identify your smoking triggers and plan ahead.
4. Ask a friend to quit at the same time so you can support and motivate each other.
5. Use nicotine replacement products such as patches or gum, top help ease the withdrawal symptoms.
6. Sign up from free tips and advice sent by free texts and emails.
7. Try and avoid situations where you might be tempted to smoke again. 
8. Keep track of how much cash you are saving and treat yourself regularly.
9. Use a carbon monoxide monitor to see the damage smoking is doing and watch how quickly your body recovers once you stop smoking.
10. Take it one day at a time and reward yourself for each day that is smoke free.

The Quit Kit adverts run alongside a powerful new advertising campaign also launched today, aimed at motivating smokers to quit by demonstrating how much their smoking affects their loved ones. It features children of smokers – not actors – from across the country singing the famous standard “I’d do anything” from the musical Oliver, illustrating they would do anything to help stop their parents smoking. This is supported by the fact that 96% of children whose parents smoke, want them to quit.