Anyone in Warwickshire who smokes or vapes now has access to a smoke free app and stop smoking medication though the local stop smoking service to support them on their quitting journey.
Warwickshire’s free, local stop smoking service, funded by Warwickshire County Council (WCC) and delivered by Fitter Futures Warwickshire is available for anyone aged 12+ who lives, works, studies or is registered with a GP in Warwickshire. Smokers who sign up can get access to the following:
- 12 weeks of support with a specialist stop smoking practitioner
- Help to manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, stop smoking medication (18+ only) or Vape Quit Kits (18+ only)
- Access to a Smoke Free App
The new Smoke Free App will give smokers in Warwickshire access to an advisor 24/7, community support from others on their quit journey, and updated progress indicators including time smoke free, money saved, cigarettes not smoked, and health improvements.
Smokers have access to the app for up to six months. During their quit journey they will also have weekly check-ins with their stop smoking practitioner for the first four weeks, and every two weeks thereafter up to 12 weeks.
Those aged 18+ can also access stop smoking medication called Varenicline. It works by reducing cravings for nicotine and blocking its effect on the brain, while also helping with withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and difficulty sleeping. It is a safe, effective medication taken in tablet form for 12 weeks. According to NHS England, the tablet has been proven to be as effective as vapes and more effective than nicotine gum or patches (Source: NHS England).
Shade Agboola, Director of Public Health at WCC said:
I am really pleased that our local stop smoking service is now offering a Smoke Free App and stop smoking medication to further help residents in Warwickshire to go smoke free for good.
This additional support will help residents to lead healthier, happier lives as we know that quitting smoking vastly improves physical and mental health.
We also know it’s challenging to take the first steps to quitting and to keep it up, which is why smokers are three times more likely to quit for good with support from the local stop smoking service than if they try to quit on their own. So don’t hesitate, get in touch today!
An estimated 11.1% of people in Warwickshire smoke, and this varies across districts and boroughs (Source: Annual Population Survey, Office for National Statistics, 2023). Many smokers start young due to nicotine addiction, with over 80% starting before the age of 20 (Source: Tobacco and Vapes Bill 2024).
To access the free stop smoking support available in Warwickshire, visit www.smokefreecw.co.uk or call 0333 005 0092.