07 March 2022
This No Smoking Day (Wednesday, 9 March), smokers in Jersey who have tried to quit in the past are urged not to give up on giving up. The day, which is supported by healthcare professionals, encourages smokers in Jersey to try to quit with support from local stop smoking services Help2Quit.
Dr Rhona Reardon, Help2Quit Lead Nurse Specialist and Coordinator, is encouraging all smokers who have made previous attempts not to give up on giving up. Smoking is very addictive and it can take some smokers several attempts before quitting for good. She said: "No Smoking Day is a great opportunity for smokers who haven't yet quit to give it another go. Every time a smokers tries to quit they are a step closer to success. The evidence shows you are three times more likely to quit smoking with support and medication.
"The Help2Quit service will be helping healthcare professionals to raise the topic of smoking in a way that increases the likelihood of smokers trying to quit. With the impact of the pandemic, health professionals can have an even bigger impact on encouraging smokers not to give up on giving up."
Help2Quit offers free help for smokers trying to quit, and has 23 pharmacies around the island offering cessation support. This means that smokers can get support from a pharmacy in a location that's convenient for them.
Smokers who want to find out more about giving up can find details of their nearest pharmacy at gov.je/help2quit. Those who may need more intensive support – such as pregnant women, or islanders with a long-term health condition - can find out about specialist support by calling Help2Quit's free phone number on 0800 735 1155.