24/07/2003

NHS services help record number of smokers to quit

Nearly 124,000 smokers kicked the habit last year after receiving help from NHS Stop Smoking Services, according to government figures released today.

The data shows that of the 234,400 smokers in England who set a quit date between April 2002 and March 2003 over half said they had successfully given up four weeks later.

The figures reveal that around 123,900 smokers successfully quit, compared to the target of 100,000 – which the government says is an endorsement of its strategy to tackle the addiction.

The government offers a range of services for the seven-out-of-10 smokers who want to turn away from tobacco.

A national telephone helpline (0800 169 0 169), Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Zyban on prescription, one-to-one counselling and advice and group support, are all on offer from the NHS. Specialist services are also available to help pregnant women stop smoking.

The government spent over £53 million on NHS Stop Smoking Services up to March 2002. In 2002/03 a further £23 million was invested in services plus a substantial amount for smoking cessation aids available on NHS prescription.

Smoking causes 120,000 deaths in the UK each year and treating smoking related diseases costs the NHS about £1.7 billion a year.

(GMcG)

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