Stop Smoking

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health. It can reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and many other illnesses.

We know that stopping smoking can be difficult, but you are more likely to quit successfully with specialist support.

Whether you are planning a pregnancy, preparing for surgery, managing your mental health, or simply ready to stop smoking, our Stop Smoking Service is here to help.

Our specialist nurses and midwives provide free, one-to-one support and advice to help you stop smoking and stay smokefree.

What the service offers

The Southern Trust stop smoking service is free and has helped thousands of people to quit smoking for good, by providing support, advice and encouragement. You don’t need to quit smoking immediately, but with your own commitment and motivation, you will start making steps towards quitting smoking.

Stop smoking specialists can offer a range of support, including:

• how to prepare to stop
• setting a quit date
• coping with withdrawal
• how to stay stopped
• Advice and support through relapse
• Individualised recommendations on nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or Medications

Smokers are four times more likely to quit with the support of a stop smoking specialist.

Want to stop smoking and get the right support?

If you want to stop smoking, or if you have any questions about the services we offer, contact us on:
028 3756 4400 or Email: stop.smoking@southerntrust.hscni.net

Or if you’d like the Stop Smoking Team to contact you please complete the form below:

Quitting smoking can make a huge improvement to your health, energy levels, life expectancy and protects your home and loved ones from harmful effects of tobacco smoke.

Stop Smoking Service Privacy Notice

Stop Smoking Support

Visit the Public Health Agency’s Stop Smoking Website for lots more information and support to give up smoking for good.

Smoking and Pregnancy

Stopping smoking during pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for your health and your baby’s health and other family members. You are more likely to stop successfully with specialist support. You are 4 times more likely to quit, it you avail of specialist support.

Our Health Promotion Midwives with specialist stop smoking training can:

• Help you make a plan to stop smoking
• Provide advice and support
• Help you access stop smoking treatments
• Support partners who want to stop smoking too

We’re here to help every step of the way, to support you in making a change that will have lasting benefits for you, your family, and generations to come.

Smoking and Mental Health

The Mental Health Stop Smoking Nurse can help you stop smoking or cut down, whether you are in hospital or living in the community.

Stopping smoking can improve both your physical and mental health. It can help reduce stress, anxiety and low mood.

The Stop Smoking Team offers personalised support, nicotine replacement products, and a quit plan tailored to your needs and treatment. We can also provide advice about smoking and any changes required to your medications during your quit journey.

Smoking and Your Hospital Stay

Being in hospital can be stressful, and not being able to smoke may make it harder. If you smoke, speak to a member of staff for support. Nicotine replacement products, such as patches, gum, lozenges, inhalators or sprays, can help manage cravings while you are in hospital.

If you would like help to stop smoking after you leave hospital, ask a member of staff about the Stop Smoking Service. A specialist advisor will contact you to discuss the support available.

Smoking and Preparing for Surgery

Stopping smoking before surgery can help you recover more quickly and reduce the risk of complications.

For the greatest health benefits, try to stop smoking at least 4 to 6 weeks before your operation. However, stopping at any time before surgery can still help.

Stopping smoking can reduce your risk of:

• Chest infections
• Wound infections
• Blood clots
• Sepsis
• Needing intensive care after surgery

Speak to your healthcare team if you would like support to stop smoking and referred to a stop smoking specialist before your operation.

How Quit Smoking Treatments Work

There are different treatments available to help you stop smoking.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) includes:

• Patches
• Gum
• Lozenges
• Inhalators
• Mouth sprays

NRT provides nicotine without the harmful chemicals found in tobacco smoke. It helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Other stop smoking medicines, including varenicline, cytisine and bupropion, do not contain nicotine. They help reduce cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms and make smoking less satisfying.

These treatments can make it easier to stop smoking and stay smokefree.

Varenicline tablets – Champix. Smoking cessation aid, info

Bupropion (Stop Smoking Medicine): Uses, Dosage and Side-effects

Support to stop vaping

People who vape can become addicted to nicotine and it can make it difficult to quit vaping. Our stop smoking specialists can support and guide by sharing information on useful tools, resources and specific treatment options to help you quit vaping. Additionally you will learn strategies to manage nicotine cravings/withdrawal symptoms.

www.ncsct.co.uk – Stopping Vaping

Contacts