Stopping smoking has never been more important and local healthcare staff are encouraging smokers to quit for someone they love.
Quit Together is a new campaign helping people stop smoking for their children, partner, parents, closest friends or anyone important to them. It’s calling on others to support the smokers in their lives with their attempt to quit.
The campaign is being led by healthcare workers at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust which runs hospitals in Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Goole as well as some community services.
Peter Reading, chief executive at the Trust, said: “Quitting smoking at any time is a great time. It not only protects yourself and your loved ones, it also reduces impact on the NHS. It saves lives.
“If you smoke, now is the time to quit to keep you healthy and out of hospital. With Coronavirus (COVID-19) posing an additional threat to those who smoke, quitting now will help reduce the likelihood of life-threatening complications from the virus.
“If you’re thinking of quitting, ask those closest to you for support and take advantage of the resources and aids available to you. We are behind you every step of the way.”
The new website, www.quittogether.co.uk and #QuitTogether includes encouraging messages of support, real stories from those who’ve quit and information on the help available. It also details the impact of smoking on COVID-19, pregnancy, cancer, heart and lung conditions, mental health, as well as operations. You can find out more information online, including other sources of nicotine such as e-cigarettes, by searching for ‘NHS Smokefree’ and using the Smokefree app.
Dr Kate Wood, medical director, said: “This is a worrying time for all of us during this pandemic and we are all conscious of the need to protect ourselves and protect others.
“We are launching our Quit Together campaign as there has never been a more important time to quit smoking than right now. It is never too late to see health benefits of quitting smoking and you’re never too old to quit.
“It’s not easy though – you will need reassurance and support especially during these uncertain times. We are seeing now more than ever ‘togetherness’ is key to getting through tough times and choosing to quit smoking is no different. The support of friends, family, neighbours and healthcare services could be the encouragement you need to stop smoking for good.”
The call for stopping smoking not only comes from local hospital staff. Councils, GPs and Clinical Commissioning Groups are coming together with people of all ages to support Quit Together.
To support those quitting, the Trust is sharing ‘feel good’ photos and videos from local healthcare staff and will ask members of the public to share their own on social media. Whether it’s a thumbs up, handmade sign or words of encouragement, show you are behind those wanting to quit by sharing your photos or video message using #QuitTogether or by emailing it to [email protected].
To take part in #QuitTogether visit www.quittogether.co.uk and make your promise to either support a loved one to quit, or quit for someone you love.
Hearing other smokers’ success stories is a great motivator. If you want to share yours then you can tweet and use the hashtag #QuitTogether or email [email protected] to share your quitting story.
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