This No Smoking Day (9th March), Stop Smoking London is launching a series of short films from London-based health professionals, calling on smokers to access free support and give quitting another go.

Featuring both a London GP and a consultant vascular surgeon, the films are being used to speak directly to the capital’s almost one million smokers, recognising the impact health professionals have on encouraging people to stop.

The ask comes as new YouGov data [1] commissioned by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) reveals that, even when visiting their GP about a non-smoking related matter, more than half of smokers would take some action to stop smoking on the advice of their doctor.

The survey highlights the difference trusted healthcare professionals can make, with the findings showing:

28% of smokers say that the advice would prompt them to make a quit attempt.
A further 35% would be encouraged to quit at a later date or to cut down the number of cigarettes smoked.
Even among smokers who say they wouldn’t expect advice to stop, more than half (53%) would take some action to address their smoking if their GP advised them to do so.

At the same time, data for London taken from the National Smoking Toolkit Study [2], a national study tracking smoking patterns and cessation-related behaviour, shows that despite increased numbers of smokers making quit attempts, there has been a decrease in the use of evidence-based support* during these attempts since the start of the pandemic.

Smokers in London who want to stop smoking are encouraged to take up the free stop smoking help that is available through Stop Smoking London, including digital and individualised telephone support.

Dr Somen Banerjee, Co-Chair and Smoking Cessation Lead of the London Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) said: “It can take a number of attempts to quit smoking for good, so we’re urging smokers not to give up and to give it another go. You’re more likely to be successful if you use proven methods, including face-to-face behavioural support, prescription medication, over the counter nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and e-cigarettes to do this. Stop Smoking London’s website and helpline are the best place to go for those looking to access support, including accessing your local stop smoking service which provides free, personalised, one-to-one help to help you quit.”

London GP Shanika Sharma said: “As a GP, we care about you and your wellbeing. As well as looking after your physical health, we also look after your psychological and social health, and we know that smoking can have an effect on all of these.

“A lot of GPs have seen people suffering as a result of smoking related diseases and, sadly, we have lost a lot of patients. When we talk to you about smoking and stopping smoking, it’s because we genuinely want to help and know the benefits to your health start the moment you stop. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the UK, so it’s really important for you to think about this and consider stopping smoking.”

Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, who is helping to co-ordinate this year’s No Smoking Day, said: “No one should give up on giving up. Every time someone tries to stop smoking, they are a step closer to success. Like anything worth doing it can take practice to stop smoking – but there is lots of help out there.

“Smokers are three times more likely to succeed in quitting with help from a trained professional than with willpower alone. Healthcare professionals can refer them to this support, but smokers can also find their local free service by searching ‘stop smoking London’ and entering their postcode.

“NHS staff fear smokers won’t listen to them, but they can make the difference. Most smokers wish they’d never started and are looking for a way out. Any health professional can help show them the way and have an everlasting impact on someone’s health. Today is the day to seize the moment.”

Smokers who want to find out more about the support available are urged to visit the Stop Smoking London website at https://stopsmokinglondon.com/todayistheday. Here you can also search for your local stop smoking service which provides free, personalised, one-to-one support to help you quit.

Alternatively, you can start a web chat or call the helpline on 0300 123 1044. Both services are available 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 11am to 4pm at weekends.