Smokefree Sheffield will help smokers quit in 2022

Do you want to quit smoking in 2022? You are strong enough. With support from Smokefree Sheffield, you are three times more likely to quit for good.
New Sheffield campaign means smokers who quit are now three times more likely to succeedNew Sheffield campaign means smokers who quit are now three times more likely to succeed
New Sheffield campaign means smokers who quit are now three times more likely to succeed

This January, Smokefree Sheffield are telling smokers that they are strong enough to quit and with free local support, they are three times more likely to succeed.

The new campaign, which aims to help people stop smoking, would mean better health for those who quit, as well as more money back into the pockets of those who need it most.

Stopping smoking is tough, but the new campaign offers support to everyone who needs it. By providing a free personal plan to all smokers, Smokefree Sheffield are on hand to give guidance on how to have healthier bodies, minds and pockets in 2022. For smokers, quitting this New Year could help put up to £5,000 back in their pocket each year.

Smoking has major impacts on health and wellbeing, and for many smokers, the cost of smoking puts an extra burden on their finances too. Nationally around 428,000* people could be lifted out of poverty if the cost of smoking addiction was returned to the household, including around 235,000 children. Positively, many smokers do want to quit, but they often find it difficult and are not aware of the support available. Whether smokers are looking to quit on their first or fourth time, expert advisors are on hand to provide free, friendly support and encouragement

Although around 60% of smokers want to quit, half try to quit by willpower alone despite this being the least effective method. The new campaign, featuring illustrations of people across Sheffield, will have adverts shown throughout the city on buses, poster sites and social media. This aims to encourage quitters to reach out to the local stop smoking service for the free help and support they’re entitled to receive to help them stop smoking.

“We know many smokers want to quit, but although they might know the risks and costs of smoking they have such low expectations of succeeding that many don’t try. When they have tried many times before and not managed to quit, this impacts their self-belief in their ability to quit for good and concerns about failing – which in turn impacts their willingness to try to quit.

“We want to empower smokers and show them they are strong enough to quit, and with the support of the stop smoking service at every step, they’ll be three times more likely to succeed for good.

“January can be a hard time financially for a lot of people, but it is also a great time to make positive changes in your life. Quitting smoking not only improves health but also means people have more money to spend on other things, and that’s a great way to see instant rewards and benefits.” says Greg Fell, Director of Public Health Sheffield.

In many cases, smokers are caught in a cycle of addiction and face greater barriers than quitting. This is often linked to increased stress related to material hardship and high rates of smoking amongst friends and family. As part of the new campaign, smokers are being urged to access the stop smoking service for free, where they have access to a community of ex-smokers and a dedicated stop smoking advisor who will continue to motivate them through their attempt. They will also advise of the right tools for them, such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy or switching to e-cigarettes.

“Smoking is an addiction and we must support people to break the cycle of addiction. People from lower socio-economic backgrounds face greater barriers to quitting and experience higher levels of addiction too so it’s important for people to know that help is available. Our message to smokers this new year is ‘you are strong enough to quit, and if you're ready, we have an outstanding local stop smoking service, with advisors who will find the right way for you”, says Greg Fell, Director of Public Health Sheffield.

Smokers in Sheffield can get free advice and support to quit via Yorkshire Smokefree Sheffield and the Smokefree Sheffield website www.smokefreesheffield.org

Sources:

428,000 people could be lifted out of poverty, click here

60% of Smokers want to quit, click here