With our support, you can become smokefree in 2023

Have you tried to give up smoking as a new year resolution for 2023 but found it hard to keep up?  Maybe you have thought about giving up smoking but found the challenge too difficult? We have got good news for anyone who is looking for support to quit their smoking habit.

People in South and West Yorkshire can get free, personalised advice to help them quit smoking in 2023.

Yorkshire Smokefree and the QUIT team in Barnsley are promoting Action on Smoking and Health’s national campaign.  Working together, the teams are committed to supporting people who are living in Yorkshire to become healthier and happier. Both teams also support NHS staff who are working in Yorkshire, to quit smoking too.

We recognise that smoking is an addiction. People often need support to help them tackle their addiction.

Smokers across England are also being encouraged to quit smoking this year as the cost-of-living continues to increase.

The average cost of smoking (£2,451 a year) is now equivalent to the average household’s annual energy bills (£2,500).  By taking action to quit for 2023, smokers can improve their health and wellbeing as well as gain a significant cash boost to offset household bills and living costs.

Most smokers start smoking in childhood. Two thirds of people who try one cigarette go on to become daily, addicted smokers.

Quitting can be tough: Getting help can increase your chances of success significantly. You can read Shaun’s personal story about the help he received to quit smoking, on our website.

Here are some statistics which outline the impact smoking can have on people’s lives:

• Over 1.5 million households including smokers live in poverty (32.4%) with:
  • 2 million working age adults
  • 1 million children
  • 400,000 pensioners
• The cost of smoking as a percentage of average disposable income is 9%.
• In Yorkshire, 14.1% of people smoke and 148,000 households are known to live in poverty

Scientific research proves that when you quit smoking, there are some immediate and long-term health benefits:

• After 20 minutes your pulse rate returns to normal
• Over the next 72 hours, carbon monoxide and all traces of nicotine are removed from your body. Oxygen levels return to normal and circulation improves. Your sense of taste and smell will improve
• Within one month your skin quality and appearance will improve
• Between 2-12 weeks, your circulation will significantly improve
• Between 3-9 months coughing and wheezing declines
• Within 1 year your excess risk of heart attack reduces by half
• Within 10 years, your risk of lung cancer falls to about half of that of a continuing smoker
• After 15 years your risk of heart attack falls to the same level as someone who has never smoked

Dr. Subha Thiyagesh, the Trust’s chief medical officer said: “Yorkshire Smokefree and the QUIT team in Barnsley are working together to help service users and staff to quit smoking. We know that smoking addiction affects people’s health and well-being dramatically.  In 2023, we want to build on the excellent progress that has been made by YSF and QUIT so that more people can enjoy the health benefits of becoming smokefree.”

Marie Burnham, the Trust’s chair commented: “Within our Trust, we are committed to helping our service users and staff to live well in their communities. We actively encourage people to create a healthy living environment. We know that smoking can negatively affect people’s quality of life. It also increases the likelihood of developing other illnesses, such as asthma and other life limiting respiratory illnesses. If anyone is considering quitting smoking this year our fantastic smokefree teams can help.”

Visit the Yorkshire Smokefree website to find out about the support they offer to service users, staff and people living in South and West Yorkshire.

You can contact the QUIT team directly to find out about the support they offer service users and staff in Barnsley by emailing  QUITBarnsley.OakwellUnit@swyt.nhs.uk or by calling 01226 644130.