NHS Tayside – Quit and Win this No Smoking Day
Written by Malcolm Finlayson on 07/03/2023
NHS Tayside is encouraging people to stub out tobacco this No Smoking Day and access the support available across Tayside to help them quit smoking.
No Smoking Day (Wed, 8 March) is an annual campaign to celebrate the achievements of those who have successfully quit smoking, and to encourage people who currently smoke to consider quitting. This year’s theme is Quit and Win which aims to raise awareness of the benefits of quitting smoking, for you and your family, health, finances and wellbeing.
In the run up to No Smoking Day, the NHS Tayside Quit Your Way team has been taking part in a number of community activities to share information about the support available locally to quit smoking and the benefits it can lead to.
eam also recently took part in a series of cost of living roadshows across Angus to support people concerned about increasing household bills.
The roadshows, held in Arbroath, Brechin and Forfar, were organised by the Angus Community Planning Partnership to offer free professional advice on range of topics to help deal with the increased cost of living. The Quit Your Way team offered advice and information about the benefits of quitting tobacco for good, including the financial savings that can be made.
Staff from the Quit Your Way team are also working alongside the Letham4All Community Fridge project to promote the Quit and Win message and share information about the support services available locally.
Gordon Ferguson from Letham4All said, “We have plans to continue this partnership working within our community. By working in the heart of the community with the community fridge project, the Quit Your Way team has been able to offer support and information to people in a place that is accessible to them.”
NHS Tayside Consultant in Public Health Andrew Radley said, “Quitting smoking can lead to a richer life in more ways than one. It will save you money but it can also lead to improved physical health. Giving up smoking is the single most important lifestyle decision that anyone can make to improve their health immediately.
“People are four times more likely to stop smoking for good if they use the stop smoking support available. You can access free medication and support that’s right for you at your local community pharmacy, which improves your chances of quitting long-term.
“NHS Tayside Quit Your Way services are available for anyone who wants to stop smoking in Tayside.”
People can visit any local community pharmacy or contact the Quit Your Way service locally on 01382 424127 or tay.smokingcessationservice@nhs.scot to find out about all the ways NHS Tayside can help support people to become smoke free.
NHS Tayside also has an incentive scheme to quit smoking that offers £50 a month in weekly vouchers to spend at a local supermarket. Your local pharmacy can give you more information and let you know if you are eligible.
You can follow the Tayside Quit Your Way service page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nhstaysidequityourway where you can find lots of information about the support available.
NHS Tayside has a strict No Smoking Policy which makes all NHS Tayside premises and grounds smoke free, a policy which is in line with all Health Board sites across Scotland.
New legislation has also recently been introduced by the Scottish Government, making it an offence to smoke within 15 metres of a hospital building.
