Smokers in Hackney could be spending as much as £163,000 every day between them on cigarettes, says local stop smoking service Smoke Free City & Hackney, as it encourages smokers to mark Stoptober this year by taking advantage of a range of free Stop Smoking services on offer to local residents and workers.

Quitting cigarettes and other tobacco based products such as shisha is proven to improve physical fitness, lead to enhanced family time, and increase disposable income. It can also improve your appearance, lead to mental health benefits and a reduced environmental impact.
Everyone’s journey to quitting is different, including our very own Cabinet Member for Health, Cllr Chris Kennedy who successfully gave up smoking for good.

As his wedding day neared, Cllr Kennedy realised he wanted to give up smoking. He valued the immediate benefits to quitting, such as better breathing, increased energy, and improved taste and smell, as well as the longer term improvements to his health and lifestyle – including a closer relationship with his family and significant savings.

His message to anyone looking to stop smoking is “don’t stop trying to give up. You can and you will do it in the end. Believe in yourself.”

You’re three times more likely to quit for good if you combine professional support with a quit smoking aid like Nicotine Replacement Therapy so it’s important to get the right support.

Director of Public Health at City and Hackney, Dr Sandra Husbands said: “Free help is available for anyone in the City and Hackney who wants to quit and Stoptober is the ideal time as lots of people will be making a quit attempt. We know that everyone’s journey is different and that quitting smoking isn’t always easy so we’re here to help you find the support you need to quit for good.”

Local help is available for current smokers aged 12+, living, working, studying, or registered with a GP in the City and Hackney.

One-to-one appointments in person or by phone with a specialist stop smoking advisor are included, together with access to 12 weeks of free medication, like Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), e-cigarettes, lozenges and gum to help you remain smoke-free.