Well being

Giving up smoking

OK, so you’ve heard it all before.  A million and one reasons why you should give up smoking.  You know it causes cancer, heart disease, thrombosis, high blood pressure and if you smoke through-out your pregnancy it can seriously affect your child’s health. 

• Smoking is the main cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK.
• It kills over 120,000 people a year.
• It has been shown to cause increased risk of miscarriage, still-birth and low birth-weight.  Passive smoking is also known to be a cause of sudden infant death syndrome (cot death) and childhood respiratory diseases, like asthma.
• Smoking increases the chances of male impotence by 50%.

Giving up smoking is tough, but you can do it.  There is plenty of help and support available…

You could speak to your GP, Health Visitor, Practice Nurse, a pharmacist, Youth Worker or the Xtrax Smoking Cessation Worker

Top tips

Some top tips to help you give up (as written by Steve Carter, Youth Worker for Youth Development Service and former smoker).

1. Only give up when you’re ready
   You need to be completely focused and determined to give up BEFORE you even try or you’ll end up wasting your time.
2. Set a date and time…and stick to it!
   For example, say to yourself that you will smoke your last ever cigarette at 8.30 after Eastenders on Monday night.  And that’s it.  No more.
3. Enjoy your last cigarette
   If you are genuinely never going to smoke again make sure you smoke your favourite brand and savour every puff!
4. Stay focused
   any time you feel like giving in just remind yourself why you gave up in the first place.  And if that fails, think of what you’re going to do with all the money you’re saving yourself.
5. Be aware of the symptoms
   Remember, the first 2 weeks are the worst.  You’ll probably get cravings, the shakes, you may even feel depressed, but these will all pass.  This is just how your body reacts to the lack of nicotine.
6. Recognise your ‘triggers’
   These are the times of day, types of places you’re in or people you’re with that would normally cause you to light up.  For example when you have a coffee, on the phone, in a pub or after dinner.  Learning to recognise these ‘weak spots’ will increase your chances of succeeding.

In addition to these suggestions you might also find it helpful to take up a sport or hobby to help take your mind off it.  Try getting involved with Dab or go to BTCV or Sports 4 U.  You’ll notice an increase in your fitness levels once you give up smoking too, so sport can be really good fun.

Smoking cessation clinics

NHS stop smoking clinics - Hastings & St Leonards area
Mondays	Arthur Blackman Clinic, Battle Road
	Drop In Clinic 6pm - 8pm
Tuesdays	Salvation Army, St Andrews Square
	Drop In Clinic 10am - Midday
	Conquest Hospital Social Club
	Drop In Clinic 11.30am - 1.30pm
	Tilekiln Community Centre, Tilebarn Road
	Drop In 9.30am - 11am
Wednesdays
	Activ8, 6 Trinity St, Hastings
	Midday - 2pm
	Marlborough House, Warrior Square
	Drop In Clinic 1pm - 3pm
Thursday	Ore Clinic, Old London Road,
	Drop In Clinic 10am - Midday
	Marlborough House, Warrior Square
	Drop In Clinic 10am - 11.30am  (starting 22nd September)
Fridays	Conquest Hospital, Out-Patients Area A
	Drop In Clinic 2pm - 4pm
Saturdays	White Rock Hotel (opposite Hastings Pier)
	Drop In Clinic 9am - 10am

NHS stop smoking clinics - Bexhill & Rother Area

Tuesdays	Rye Clinic, Ferry Road, Rye
	Drop In Clinic 11.30am - 1pm
	Egerton Park Learning Centre, Bexhill
	Drop In Clinic 1pm - 2.30pm
Wednesdays
	Battle Health Centre
	Drop In Clinic 6pm - 8pm
	Bexhill Health Centre, Holliers Hill, Bexhill
	Drop In Clinic 8am - 10am
Fridays
	Bexhill Hospital
	Drop In Clinic 2pm - 4pm
Stop Smoking Clinic
Tel: (01424) 457153

 

Extra Clinics and 6 weekly clinics - starting soon

Day	Start Date	Venue	Time	6 weeks or permanent
Monday	2nd Oct	Childrens Centre, Waterworks Rd	8am - 9.30am	Permanent
	2nd Oct	16 Silchester Rd	9.30 - 11.30am	6 Weeks
	13th Nov	Four Courts Community Centre	9.30 - 11.30am	Permanent
Tuesday	26th Sept	East Hastings Children Centre	10.30 - Noon	Permanent
	31st Oct	Helenswood Sports Centre	5pm - 7pm	Permanent
Thursday	28th Sept	Downs Farm Community Centre	3pm - 5pm	Permanent
	5th Oct	Falaise Leisure Centre	6pm - 7pm	Permanent
	19th Oct	South Saxon GP Surgery	2pm - 3pm	Permanent
Friday	15th Sept	Combe Haven Holiday Park	4pm - 6pm	6 Weeks
	22nd Sept	Marlborough House	10am - 11.30am	Permanent

 

Useful Contacts

• Xtrax smoking cessation worker - 722524
• Youth Development Service – 446302
• www.ash.co.uk
• www.givingupsmoking.co.uk
• www.quit.org.uk
• www.kickthehabit.co.uk

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