News

Smokers in the Outer Hebrides are being urged to take the first step in giving up cigarettes for good on No Smoking Day which takes place on Wednesday 14th March.

 Experts agree that tobacco is the single biggest avoidable cause of cancer in the world with smoking causing over a quarter of cancer deaths in the UK and nearly one in five cancer cases. And smoking doesn’t only cause cancer. It also causes tens of thousands of deaths each year in the UK from other conditions, including heart and lung problems.

However, while studies show that two-thirds of smokers want to quit, nearly one in five UK adults still continue to smoke.

 This year’s No Smoking Day theme is Pick Your Way. In life we’re told never to give up – but when it comes to smoking, being a ‘Quitter’ is a good thing. Everyone's different, which means the way you quit smoking needs to be your choice. It's all about working out what's right for you to increase your chances of quitting for good.

You might be:

• ·thinking of trying free Champix or NRT
• ·looking into e-cigarettes
• ·planning to go it alone with your own willpower

Smokefree Hebrides, the local NHS support group, has recently changed its name to Quit Your Way Scotland– and whilst the name may have changed in line with national policy, its friendly supportive team remains the same and continues to offer support to those wanting to quit or reduce their smoking.

Quit Your Way Scotland offers free, confidential advice, help and support to anyone in the Outer Hebrides who would like to quit smoking.  The service offers 1-to-1, group and telephone support, at times which are suited to your needs, as well as a text and email service.

 Quit Your Way Scotland can help you increase your chances of success in quitting smoking by offering confidential appointments with one of their trained smoking cessation advisors. Appointments with an advisor can be arranged to be held at mutually convenient locations throughout the Outer Hebrides.

Whatever you decide, it helps to plan ahead – and evidence shows that you are four times more likely to successfully QUIT for good with the support of the smoking cessation service.

Quit Your Way Scotland Contact Details

Local team tel. 01851 701623.

National helpline tel. 0800 848484

National website – www.quityourway.scot

Client Testimonials

Testimonial 1

“Smokefree Hebrides were quite simply excellent in supporting me in my quest to stop smoking following a 22 year habit. They were there to encourage and offer their advice, allowing me to trial the various methods of nicotine replacement therapy available, and thereby establish my preference going forward. Periodic one to one meetings held up the contact with Smokefree Hebrides, and at no time did I feel pressured nor a failure if I had the odd “fall off the wagon” episode, quite the opposite which for me was very encouraging. Thank you again for all the help, and please keep up the good work guys.”

Gordon Maciver

Testimonial 2

“I decided to attend Smokefree Hebrides as someone we knew had started working there. My main reason to Quit is to improve my health. The staff are all very helpful and I have cut down from 50 to10 cigarettes a day.

“Stopping Smoking is one of the hardest things ever… but I feel that the support offered is excellent and I can call or drop in when I need to. I receive phone calls and go to their office at Laxdale Court in Stornoway about once a month for a chat with my advisor.

“I am cutting down at my pace and receive advice on NRT products and how to use them, support with cravings, triggers etc…If I had any advice I would say  “drop in and see the team or give them a call. One of the best decisions you will ever make.”

Carl

Testimonial 3

“I feel that Smokefree Hebrides has indeed helped me. I haven’t actually stopped yet but I have reduced cigarettes from 30 a day to 4/5 a day which has been a good boost to me.

“I feel much better and don’t cough in the morning like I used to.  The best product that I have tried that works for me is the patches and mist.

“It definitely helps going to Smoking Cessation as I have been a heavy smoker.  My advice to anyone that is thinking about stopping smoking is that stopping is such a great benefit to your health and to go to Smokefree Hebrides as they can help you."

Donald

Testimonial 4

“I was in the surgery and Dr Kirsty told me there was a couple of ladies coming down from Stornoway and referred me to see them. I told her that I would be just wasting my time… but I went anyway.

“I’m doing far better than I thought I would ever do.”

Testimonial 5

“It really helped me. I had a wee bit of a struggle at the beginning as I knew I would, but it gradually got better.

“I used Champix and it really helped me. I took one in the morning and one at night-time. After about a week I didn’t really want to smoke. I did smoke the odd cigarette but half way through it I would throw it away.

“My advice to anyone looking to quit is, I know it's hard, and it’s hard on everybody that wants to give up smoking, but I would advise you to go along to Smokefree Hebrides – go and have a chat to them."

Samuel

Testimonial 6

“Last year I was standing outside my house one wet and windy Hebridean night smoking and I asked myself what am I doing?

“The Smokefree Hebrides smoking cessation service was very helpful, including ordering patches, which I needed to help me stop – but I didn't need the patches for long as I was determined to become a non smoker for my health."   

Iain MacVicar