Health bosses help smokers quit
Health bosses have unveiled plans to help Black Country people kick the habit when the smoking ban comes into force next month. Health bosses have unveiled plans to help Black Country people kick the habit when the smoking ban comes into force next month. Extra stop smoking advisors, new treatments, drop-in services and groups to help people give up cigarettes will be launched to coincide with the bar on lighting up in enclosed public spaces from July 1. Officials at the Dudley Stop Smoking Service say their are anticipating a significant increase in the number of smokers wanting help to stump out their habit once the new legislation comes into effect. And Dudley Primary Care Trust (PCT) which runs the service says that is backed up by a recent survey which reveals nearly a quarter of smokers in the West Midlands say they think the ban will help them stop. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
Extra stop smoking advisors, new treatments, drop-in services and groups to help people give up cigarettes will be launched to coincide with the bar on lighting up in enclosed public spaces from July 1.
Officials at the Dudley Stop Smoking Service say their are anticipating a significant increase in the number of smokers wanting help to stump out their habit once the new legislation comes into effect.
And Dudley Primary Care Trust (PCT) which runs the service says that is backed up by a recent survey which reveals nearly a quarter of smokers in the West Midlands say they think the ban will help them stop.
To help meet the extra demand the Stop Smoking Service has revealed plans to: Increase the number of pharmacies in the borough offering its service; introduce an out patients service at Russells Hall Hospital; commission more stop smoking advisors; increase the range of treatments giving patients more choice; increase training to all health professionals to raise awareness of the Stop Smoking Service; put plans in place to expand its stop smoking groups within the community and launch a new eight week drop-in service in the Hawbush area.
The service is also working closely with schools and youth groups to educate and help young people to quit and assisting businesses to introduce smoking policies and offering help and support to their employees who want to stop smoking.
Dudley PCT spokeswoman Laura Broster said: "To raise awareness of the Stop Smoking Service and the smokefree campaign in relation to the new legislation the Dudley PCT, which runs the Stop Smoking Service, is working in partnership with Dudley Council.
"An information trailer has already visited Dudley, Halesowen, Brierley Hill and Stourbridge town centres to offer advice and distribute literature to local residents."
