NHS Islington...

Your local NHS

Stop smoking service

It's your time to quit smoking

There’s never been a better time for you to give up smoking. Islington stop smoking service can offer many different types of help and support. Statistics show that with the help of NHS stop smoking services, you are far more likely to kick the habit for good, so read on and we will give you an introduction to the free services on offer.

What does the Islington stop smoking service offer?

We can give you the help and support you need to stop smoking. We know it’s not going to be easy, but you’re not on your own in wanting to quit - we help hundreds of local people kick the habit every year. Do you want to join all the other local people who have quit?

The first step is to call us free on 0800 093 9030 or email us at smokefree@islingtonpct.nhs.uk. Our advisors have all the information you need about the help that’s available all over Islington.

Stop smoking groups

Stop smoking groups are weekly sessions. There are about 15 - 30 people in each group, and the group is run by a trained stop smoking advisor. Quitting with other people in the same boat can be really effective and many group members who have sucessfully quit, recommend them to friends and colleagues.

Groups meet once a week for seven weeks, and each session lasts for about one and a half hours. During the first session, you’ll meet the group and get advice about preparing to stop smoking.

The second session is used to help you decide what type of treatment you would like to use (this could be nicotine patches, gum, nicotine nasal spray, lozenges, a drug called Zyban).

The third session is your quit date. Everyone in the group quits at the same time. The four remaining sessions provide group support to help you stay stopped and cope with the withdrawal symptoms.

Groups are held all over Islington. If you are interested in getting involved in a group call 0800 093 9030.

Individual support

If stop smoking groups aren’t for you, expert advice is still available. You can meet a stop smoking advisor one-to-one at a time to suit you, and there are advisors all over Islington. You will meet your advisor for five sessions. That is one session a week for five weeks. Each session will last for about half an hour. At the first session your advisor will talk about your smoking habits and will help you decide what type of treatment you would like to use (more details about treatments later in this leaflet).

Session two is your quit date and on sessions three to five your stop smoking advisor will give you support to stay stopped and to cope with the withdrawals from nicotine.

Who are the stop smoking advisors?

There are many trained stop smoking advisors based in Islington. These include community pharmacists, practice nurses and midwives. There are advisors who speak various community languages such as Turkish and Somali. To find your local stop smoking advisor just call the freephone 0800 093 9030.

Stay Stopped Group

Our Stay Stopped Group is available to all smokers who have successfully quit smoking. The group meets once a month for about an hour. It provides an opportunity for people who have successfully stopped smoking to celebrate their success, or to receive support to stay stopped if they are feeling tempted to smoke again. For more information, and the next start date, please call the freephone 0800 093 9030.

Drop in clinics

There are a range of stop smoking drop in clinics around Islington. Call 0800 093 9030 to find a clinic near you.

What treatments are available to me?

There are two types of medication to help people to stop smoking. One is Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and the other is a drug called Bupropion, which is commonly known as Zyban. Both drugs work equally well to help you to quit.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

Nicotine is the addictive part of a cigarette and is just as addictive as cocaine or heroin. Nicotine itself is not harmful but smoking cigarettes is. Cigarettes contain 4,200 chemicals which are known to cause cancer and other diseases. NRT gives you nicotine in a safe form. This helps you to cope with withdrawal symptoms when you stop smoking. Some of the withdrawal symptoms are cravings, irritability, headaches, and sleep disturbance. There are six different forms of NRT: chewing gum, lozenges, microtab, a patch you wear on your skin, a nasal spray and inhalator (a white cigarette like stick that gives a ‘puff’ of nicotine). NRT is available on prescription through Islington’s stop smoking service.

Zyban

Zyban is a non-nicotine drug, which helps you to cope with the withdrawal symptoms when you stop smoking. It comes in tablet form only. You need to take one tablet a day, for one week, before your quit date. Then take two tablets (eight hours apart) for the next eight weeks. Zyban is not suitable for everybody. This medication is available on prescription only. You need to speak to your doctor before considering Zyban.

Some common questions

How long does a course of treatment last?

Any treatment will be explained in detail by a health professional. However, courses of NRT generally last about twelve weeks, and Zyban nine weeks.

How much will advice and treatment cost?

NHS services like stop smoking groups and one to one advice are free. Any treatment (NRT, Zyban) is available on prescription so you only pay the prescription charge. If you dont pay for your prescriptions then treatment is free.

I don’t live in Islington, can I use the service?

Yes, if you work in Islington, or it’s convenient for you to visit, then you are welcome to use the Islington stop smoking service.

I don’t have much time to give up smoking, what can I do?

We have stop smoking groups, drop in sessions and trained pharmacists. Advisors are available all over Islington and during both days and evenings. You can also get support at your local GP surgery. There should be something to suit you.

I want to quit, what shall I do next?

Call 0800 093 9030 or email smokefree@islingtonpct.nhs.uk. We can then let you know about your nearest groups, one to one advisors or drop in sessions. We can also answer any other questions you have.