One You smokefree

How long does it take to get on to a Quit Club?

Depending on your location, it could be anything from one day to a few weeks.

Will I have to quit straight away?

No. Depending on your choice of support it will generally be week three or if it is a one-to-one, you will decide when your quit date will be, usually between your first or third week.

Do I need to prepare anything before my quit attempt?

Your adviser will talk and arrange a quit plan with you and give all relevant information, you don't need to do anything beforehand.

Will I receive anything to help with my quit attempt?

All of the support, including Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products, and vaping starter kit if appropriate, and advice that you will receive will be absolutely free.

How long is the course?

You will need to come once a week for seven weeks.

What’s the success rate?

Many people try to quit smoking with willpower alone, but it's much easier to go smoke-free with the right help. Around 55 per cent of our clients successfully go smokefree.

Can I go with a friend?

Quitting together with friends or partners gives you that extra support and is a very good idea.

Is it like an AA meeting?

No. The courses are informal, friendly and supportive. Most people even find them fun!

If I had a slip up and had a cigarette, would that mean I wouldn’t be able to attend the course anymore?

Of course not.  Many people have a slip before they successfully quit. It is best if you don’t even have a puff to give yourself the best chance of success, but if it does happen we will help you to start afresh.

What happens if I don’t quit after the course?

We would advise you to take a break and come back and try again when you feel ready.

What happens after the course? Do I get anymore support?

We can support you until week seven of your quit attempt with NRT if you need it but this can be extended to 12 weeks in certain circumstances. Our advisers can also support you to access other lifestyle support.

Will Nicotine Replacement Therapy affect any medication I am already on?

NRT shouldn’t affect any other medications. However if you have any concerns contact your GP or Pharmacist.

What happens if I miss a session? Will I have to start again?

No you won’t need to start again, we understand if appointments are missed. Let your adviser know and they can rearrange the session. Phone 0300 123 1220 and someone in the office will be able to help. We can also answer any questions or advice you need before your next appointment.

How much will it cost for me to join?

The One You Smokefree Service is completely free. All stop smoking aids including NRT and the vape quit kits (age restrictions apply) and the seven-week programme of support with our advisers are free.

We can also give free advice to businesses and deliver quit clubs within your organisation if you want to help your colleagues to go smokefree.

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) became smoke free in 2006 following guidance in the white paper, Choosing Health, which gave a clear commitment to a smoke-free NHS. As a result, all NHS premises became smoke-free, including outside spaces and vehicles parked on NHS used or owned sites.

Smoking has been illegal in enclosed and substantially enclosed work and public places in the United Kingdom since July 2007. Smoke-free legislation forms part of the Health Act 2006.

Smoking remains the UK’s greatest cause of health inequalities, preventable illness and premature death.

What are the risks of smoking?

Tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of those are known to cause cancer. Smokers are addicted to Nicotine, but are harmed by many of the other chemicals.

Smoking and exposure to second hand smoke increases the risk of:

• Cancer
• Strokes
• Heart disease
• Lung diseases
• Reduced fertility
• Complications in child birth
• Developing diabetes.

Everyone!

When a person smokes a cigarette, the smoke is inhaled through the nose and mouth and moves down through the throat into the lungs. When smoke enters the lungs is starts to damage the lining of the lungs. This damage leads to lack of oxygen and the increased build-up of the chemicals causes breathlessness, wheezing and dizziness. Carbon Monoxide from cigarette smoke enters the blood stream and stops the blood from carrying oxygen around the body.

Secondhand smoke (or passive smoking) is dangerous to anyone who breathes it in and can bring many of the same health risks as someone who smokes. It can stay in the air for several hours after somebody smokes. Even breathing secondhand smoke for a short amount of time can hurt your body (e.g. developing cancer, heart disease or respiratory conditions). Secondhand smoke is especially dangerous for children, babies, women who are pregnant, and those who suffer with respiratory conditions.

People with a mental illness who smoke are more likely to be heavier smokers and more tobacco dependent than smokers in the general population. Smokers with a mental illness tend to experience more severe mental health symptoms, requiring higher doses of some medication.

We understand that stopping smoking may be challenging at first. Smoking cessation has proved to be associated with improvements in mental health compared with continuing to smoke, in particular improving mood, self-confidence, and reducing levels of anxiety.

OneYou Smokefree is provided by KCHFT. They can help you quit smoking with professional support and help when you need it most. This is a free service delivered by a friendly and professional team which offers group support and one-to-one sessions at a time and place to suit most people. They also offer specialist support to pregnant women.

Support is provided via telephone calls, MS Teams or face-to-face. We also offer free access to prescription products to help you quit including a free e-cigarette starter kit (subject to availability and age restrictions apply).

A referral to the service can be made using the online form available on our public page or by calling 0300 123 1220. If you prefer you can download the OneYou Kent referral form and return to kentchft.oneyoukent@nhs.net. You can also text the word ‘Quit’ to 60163, an advisor will get in touch with you to discuss support available to you.

Website: www.kentcht.nhs.uk/one-you-kent/one-you-smokefree/

You can also follow OneYou Kent on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Giving up smoking is a personal choice, but it is the most important thing you can do for your health and those around you. With the right support from a smoke free adviser you are four times more likely to quit and stay quit. We will respect your decision and support you to give up if you choose to.