NHS Lanarkshire is urging hospital staff and other workers to have a smoke-free and ‘appier future.
The health board has partnered with Smoke Free, to give staff from hospitals and a number of local organisations additional support to quit smoking simply just by reaching in to their pockets.
North and South Lanarkshire Council Homecare support workers, HRM Homecare support workers and South Lanarkshire College lecturers and students who are ready to quit smoking can now sign up for 12-weeks free access to the Smoke Free app.
The app has supported half a million people in the UK to quit smoking and includes features such as: guidance on managing cravings, progress including money saved and health improvements and calculations on the amount of cigarettes not smoked.
The pilot project was introduced as an additional support method whilst face-to-face stop smoking support cannot be offered due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Mary McGibbon, health improvement senior – Tobacco Control Team, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “We’re supplying the Pro version of the app to staff and businesses to encourage and motivate those already contemplating quitting smoking and give them a boost through readily accessible, additional support.
“The aim of this project is to provide those signed up the best chance possible to successfully quit smoking, and with the app combined with support from our Quit Your Way service, this will hopefully lead them to a smoke-free future.”
Nicola Smith, acting senior officer, Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, Home Support Service, added: “We’re delighted to be included in this pilot which gives our staff the opportunity to aim for a healthier lifestyle by giving up smoking.
“A number of staff have signed up and will no doubt benefit from the vital support available. Our staff work shifts so it’s important that this meets their needs by being available at the times that suit them.
“We wish them well and it’s great they have another option open to them to achieve their goal of becoming smoke-free.”
Quit Your Way is a free NHS Lanarkshire stop smoking service. To find out more about the stop smoking services and to access the best support to quit in your area, call the Quit Your Way helpline service on 0800 84 84 84 or visit QuitYourWay.scot.
Quit Your Way can be contacted Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm.
You can also visit your local Community Pharmacy for Free stop smoking support.
