Grampian smokers who want to quit encouraged to get help
Smokers in Grampian have been encouraged to get NHS support to ‘Stop and Save’.
NHS Grampian is urging smokers who want to quit to get help.
Susan Webb, director of public health for Grampian said: “Smoking is getting more expensive all the time.
“According to the Office for National Statistics, the average cost for a pack of 20 cigarettes in the UK is over £16.
“For a pack-a-day smoker this can cost over £110 per week, over £450 per month and over £5500 per year.
“Having this money going back into your pocket, along with the many health benefits of quitting, can make such a difference to people’s lives.
“We know lots of smokers would like to stop, but they don’t know where to get that vital offer of help.
“That’s why we’re keen to highlight all the services we have to offer, and the people ready to help all year round.”
During 2023/24, NHS Grampian smoking cessation services helped 941 smokers reach a 12-week quit.
Based on this data and the cost of smoking a packet a day, stopping may save them a combined total of more than £5 million every year.
Susan added: “Imagine an extra £5 million going back into the local economy as people find they have more disposable income once they kick the habit.
“It’s great for health, great for personal finances and great for business too.”
NHS Grampian and partners Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray health and social care partnerships have also published the new Tobacco Strategic Plan for the North East of Scotland.
This aims to support partnership working and have a greater impact on reducing tobacco-related harm by accelerating the reduction in smoking rates to an ambitious goal of five per cent by 2034.
This will help to protect future generations from the many health problems caused by smoking and make smoking cessation support even more easily available.
People in Grampian who would like support to stop smoking, can speak to their local community pharmacy or contact the NHS Grampian Public Health Healthpoint service.
They can call free on 08085 20 20 30 and speak to an advisor who can help them find the right support, including access to free stop smoking medications such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
They can also email Healthpoint at gram.healthpoint@nhs.scot and an advisor will get back to them.
The Healthpoint service is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
