The council’s Wellbeing Service has been helping residents to stop smoking this Autumn – for ‘Stoptober’ and beyond – with free drop-ins, specialist advice and support.
Drop-ins, with no booking needed, are currently running until 14 November at:
- John Jenkins Stadium, Copnor on Mondays and Wednesdays 4-7pm
- Paulsgrove Community Centre on Thursdays 4-7pm.
The Wellbeing Service can provide weekly contact with a trained adviser, arranging stop-smoking products or medication such as patches, gum, lozenges and Cytisine (for a one-off prescription fee), or free vapes and liquids (for age 18+ only).
Chris, 43, from Buckland, decided to quit smoking with his mum earlier this year. Seeing her struggling with COPD and angina gave him extra motivation. After contacting the team, Chris and his mum met with wellbeing practitioner Alison weekly, for three months. She arranged patches and a free vape kit for them and they quit smoking.
Chris said: “It’s been great support, highly motivating. Alison’s just been amazing.
“My breathing’s better. My taste buds have come back, my sense of smell too. My fitness levels have changed immensely, so I can do a lot more than I used to.”
Evidence has shown that smokers are three times more likely to stop successfully with support from a local stop smoking service than by trying to do it on willpower alone.
Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care, at Portsmouth City Council, said:
“Our Wellbeing Service supported over 1,000 residents to set a quit date last year. There are so many benefits of stopping smoking, including better breathing, more energy, reduced stress, and the cost savings. It really is the best thing a smoker can do for their physical and mental health.
“So, whether it’s your first attempt at quitting, or even if you’ve tried before, it’s worth trying again. I hope lots of residents take up the free support – it really is well worth it.”
New data has shown smoking rates are dropping in Portsmouth; 2023 data shows 10.1% of Portsmouth adults are estimated to be current smokers, a drop from 14.7% in 2022.
This Autumn, the council has also launched the ‘Well Worth It’ campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of stopping smoking.
Find details of the drop-ins at wellbeingportsmouth.co.uk/stopsmoking or you can contact the Wellbeing Service on 023 9229 4001.