12/11/2003

NHS to offer free nicotine gum to smokers

Products such as nicotine patches and gum will be given to the NHS for free under a new deal to help at least 10,000 more smokers quit.

Agreements between the government and the major suppliers of smoking cessation products will give all Primary Care Trusts additional support from these suppliers, including free nicotine patches.

The government says that the more that local health services invest in smoking cessation products, the more support they will get to help extra smokers to quit. It is well recognised that using a stop smoking product significantly increases a person's chance of staying cigarette free, the government said.

Smoking is currently the UK's leading cause of preventable death, resulting in around 120,000 deaths a year from cancer, heart disease and other causes.

New figures show that an increasing number of people are stopping smoking after using NHS services. Up to 10% more people successfully quit between April and June 2003 compared to the same period the previous year, according to government data.

Health Secretary John Reid said: "Seven-in-10 smokers want to quit. The figures out today show that these people are getting the support and help they need to give up. Today's agreement will help the NHS to reach our target of 800,000 by 2006."

"I know from personal experience that giving up is difficult - one of the hardest things I've ever done. I know that I needed a huge amount of support to free myself from the addiction, and I am pleased that the NHS offers practical assistance to help people quit."

Quitting smoking reduces the chance of cancer of cardiovascular disease – five years after quitting smoking the risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.

(gmcg)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 February 2011
Smokers 'Quit Kit' In Time For Valentine's
Smokers in the North West are being encouraged to share a ‘fresh breath’ kiss with their Valentine this year, by quitting smoking with the help of a free NHS Quit Kit now available in participating pharmacies.
24 July 2003
NHS services help record number of smokers to quit
Nearly 124,000 smokers kicked the habit last year after receiving help from NHS Stop Smoking Services, according to government figures released today. The data shows that of the 234,400 smokers in England who set a quit date between April 2002 and March 2003 over half said they had successfully given up four weeks later.
09 July 2004
200,000 smokers quit with NHS help
Over 200,000 smokers managed to kick the smoking habit last year in the best results ever achieved by the NHS – 65% up on the previous year. Figures released today show that of the 359,000 smokers in England who set a quit date between April 2003 and March 2004, over half had successfully given up four weeks later.
16 January 2012
2012 Smoking Campaign Launched
A new campaign was launched today encouraging smokers to quit with the help of Scotland's national stop smoking helpline. Smokeline 0800 848484 offers people tips on how to kick the habit geared towards their personal circumstances and needs.
07 August 2003
WHO urges governments to do more to help smokers quit
The World Health Organization (WHO) has today urged governments to include "smoking cessation and treatment services" as part of comprehensive tobacco control programmes.