300 people who either live or work in the city set quit dates with Portsmouth City Council’s Wellbeing Service during Stoptober.
The free service, which also celebrated 10 years of helping residents lead healthier lives in October, offers free drop-ins, specialist advice and support.
Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing, Health and Care, at Portsmouth City Council, said:
“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.”
“Evidence has shown that smokers are three times more likely to stop successfully with support from a local stop smoking service rather than by relying on willpower alone. And smokers who stop smoking for 28 days, are five times more likely to stop for good.”
The Wellbeing Service, which aims to make Portsmouth smoke free by 2030*, has a team of experienced and friendly practitioners that will work with you to find the most appropriate methods to stop. This could be arranging nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) products such as patches, gum, lozenges or stop smoking medications (available for a one-off prescription fee). Free vapes and liquids are also available (for age 18+ only) with support offered both face-to-face and over the phone.
Phil from Buckland said:
“I tried cold turkey and really struggled, so I reached out to the Portsmouth Wellbeing Service. Within three weeks of regular support, I felt a switch flick, and I believed I can really do this and haven’t looked back since.”
The Wellbeing Service runs free stop smoking drop-ins from the following venues:
- Tesco Extra, Fratton, PO4 8FD on Mondays 1-3pm
- John Pounds Centre, PO1 3HN on Tuesdays 9am-12pm
- John Jenkins Stadium, PO3 6LA on Wednesdays 4-7pm
- Paulsgrove Community Centre, PO6 4JB on Thursdays 4-7pm
No booking is required and adults living or working in PO1-PO6 are eligible.
Malick from Milton also shared:
“It’s been a great journey, and the Wellbeing Service have been very supportive from the start.”
Glyn from Southsea added:
“The Wellbeing Service has been extremely encouraging and supportive. [Support] was convenient and worked around my everyday life. Since attending my first session, I’ve been welcomed every week and with the support I’ve been given I haven’t smoked since and I feel really positive going forward.”
Details of all the Wellbeing Service’s drop-ins are available at: wellbeingportsmouth.co.uk/Stoptober25 or by contacting the Wellbeing Service on 023 9229 4001.
The website also includes details of local pharmacies in Portsmouth offering stop smoking support.
*In 2019, the Government announced an ambition for England to become ‘smokefree’ by 2030 – achieved when adult smoking prevalence falls to 5% or less.