11 March 2019
Smokers in Jersey who want to kick the habit are urged to seek support this No Smoking Day. The day falls on Wednesday 13 March, and encourages islanders to think about making a quit attempt with support from local stop smoking services.
Around 16% of adults in Jersey are smokers, which has fallen from 25% in 2005. Despite the drop, there are still an estimated 140 deaths in the island each year which can be attributed to smoking.
Dr Rhona Reardon, Help2Quit Coordinator, encouraged those who smoke to make use of the service’s support for No Smoking Day. She said: “No Smoking Day is a great opportunity for smokers who didn’t manage to quit at New Year to give it another go. With spring around the corner, lots of islanders will be thinking about getting fit for the summer, and stopping smoking can really help with that. I’d encourage any smokers who would like to enjoy the benefits of quitting to sign up for support – quitting is difficult, but smokers don’t need to do it on their own.”
The Help2Quit service offers free help for smokers trying to quit, and has now expanded its pharmacy service into 22 pharmacies around the island. This means that smokers can get support from a pharmacy in a location that’s convenient for them.
Dr Reardon added: “There is a range of help available in Jersey for smokers who want to kick the habit. Help2Quit offers support, advice, and nicotine replacement therapy, all free of charge, and in a range of locations across the island. Even if you have tried unsuccessfully to quit before, No Smoking Day is a great time to try again with Help2Quit’s support.”
Smokers who want to find out more about giving up can find details of their nearest pharmacy at gov.je. Those who may need more intensive support to quit – 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.
gov.je