Quitting smoking: Here’s the support and services available in Calderdale

The ‘Turn the Corner’ campaign is being shown on TV, radio and social media across Yorkshire and the Humber with a powerful message that every cigarette takes 20 minutes off your life.

The campaign features mother and daughter, Wendy and Amy Robinson, from Yorkshire and the Humber, who both successfully stopped smoking after Wendy lost her mum to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Roy, aged 45 from Brighouse, is lending his support to the ‘Turn the Corner’ campaign. He quit smoking with support from the local stop smoking service, Yorkshire Smokefree Calderdale, after smoking for more than 20 years.

Roy said: “I feel much better, and I have more energy since quitting. I also used to think that smoking helped me cope with my anxiety, but I now know that smoking increases stress and anxiety, so I’ve learnt to manage it in other ways.

“My advice to anyone who is thinking about quitting is get support from your local stop smoking service as they really helped me find the right way to quit. Believe in yourself, do it at your own pace and keep trying. If I can do it, so can you.”

Stopping smoking is one of the best things a smoker can do to improve their health. It lowers the risk of serious illnesses like cancer and heart disease. There are a range of products that can help you quit, which can make the process much less stressful. You’re also three times more likely to quit successfully with support rather than with willpower alone.

Calderdale Council’s Director of Public Health, Deborah Harkins, said: “Smoking can have a devastating effect on your health and the health of those around you. This new regional campaign highlights the harm that can be caused by smoking, but also that a healthier, smoke-free life is always possible and it’s never too late to ‘turn the corner’ and start the journey to quit.

“Quit rates among people accessing local stop smoking services are higher than average. There’s lots of support available in Calderdale, with a range of options to suit everyone. Whenever you decide to quit, you’re not on your own.”

Support available

Quitting is hard but you don’t have to do it alone. You’re three times more likely to quit successfully with support from Yorkshire Smokefree Calderdale. Their friendly team offer a range of stop-smoking options to suit everyone. These include:

● In person: Regular face-to-face meetings with an advisor and regular carbon monoxide readings help you chart your progress.

● On the phone: Regular phone calls with an advisor to support you on your journey to becoming smoke-free.

● Online quit plan: This online personal action plan takes you through the stages of preparing to stop, stopping and staying stopped. Having a plan makes it easier to quit.

● Video calls: If you can’t attend in person but would like to see your advisor, this can be done via a video call.

Yorkshire Smokefree also offers up to 12 weeks of free access to selected nicotine replacement products and vapes. They can also support access to licensed stop-smoking medications.

Call 0800 612 0011 or visit calderdale.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk to start your quit journey today.

To find free, personalised support to stop smoking in Yorkshire and the Humber, visit yestoquit.co.uk

Be there for the moments that matter – visit calderdale.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk