Support at town centre location for people wanting to stop smoking
Fresh Start, Derby's free NHS Stop Smoking service, will be holding sessions at Boots to offer the people of Derby the chance to quit smoking.
Starting from Monday 6th November, the drop-in sessions will be held at the Victoria Street branch of Boots, Monday to Friday between 12:30pm and 1:30pm. People will be able to get up to eight weeks of support and treatment.
Research has shown that over two thirds of smokers would like to stop and support through Fresh Start means that people do not have to do it alone. By accessing the service, people are up to four times more likely to give up for good.
Fresh Start are also continuing sessions at Derby's Casa Bar, each Friday from 2pm to 4pm. These sessions offer support in a relaxed and comfortable environment.
Su Benton, Fresh Start Team Leader for Derby City Primary Care Trust said: "We hope that people will be encouraged by the town centre locations and that they will come along to receive the support they need to quit. The Boots drop-in is particularly useful for people working in the town centre as they can drop-in during their lunch-breaks."
For those people who may be unable to attend the sessions at Boots or Casa, there are other ways to get help and support to quit smoking. The Fresh Start programme offers a choice of group or one-to-one sessions where advisers offer the appropriate support depending on an individual's needs. The weekly sessions, alongside nicotine replacement therapy, really can make a big difference. Zyban (a course of tablets to help reduce cravings and other symptoms) can also be used where medically suitable and is available on prescription from GPs.
Fresh Start can be contacted on 01332 208077 or visit www.freshstart.nhs.uk
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Contact: Ben Haynes, Communications Officer on 01332 224000, ext 6341 or email ben.haynes@derwentsharedservices.nhs.uk
