Residents in East Riding are being encouraged to swap cigarettes to safer forms of nicotine, such as patches and gum, to save money and improve mental and physical health.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council offers a free service to help people to swap and stop, and wants to highlight the gains that come with stopping smoking.
Councillor David Tucker, cabinet member for adults, health and care said: "January is often the time when people consider making a change, and for people who smoke we encourage them to swap to patches and gum, as tools to help quit smoking.
"Swapping to an effective replacement means that the harmful tobacco is removed, without the discomfort of nicotine withdrawal, leading to improved energy, breathing, taste and smell within days, not to mention saving money.
"If you are feeling anxious about the thought of stopping smoking, getting support from our free stop smoking service, Healthier Futures, can really help. Swap and stop this new year!"
Healthier Futures is East Riding's stop smoking programme, provided by Xyla Health and Wellbeing. The programme is up to 12 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), with a choice of patches, gums or sprays. The team provide support to form healthy and lasting habits to stop smoking for good, including help with controlling cravings and behaviour change techniques, plus the choice of face-to-face sessions or a fully remote online programme.
Face to face groups are underway in Goole, Withernsea, Beverley, Bridlington, Pocklington, Cottingham, Driffield and Willerby, with more will begin as the programme becomes more established.
Find out more and access support on the Healthier Futures website: eryc.link/quit-smoking or call the Healthier Futures team on 0330 236 9102.
