Stop smoking
Interim comprehensive stop smoking support
Following the government's announcement regarding the availability of Varenicline and Cysticine to support smoking cessation, we are currently working diligently to implement the necessary processes to offer this medication to our service users.
We do not yet have a confirmed start date.
In the interim, we continue to provide comprehensive support to help you quit smoking.
Our services include:
- free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): A range of products to help manage nicotine cravings
- free E-cigarettes and E-liquids: A modern approach to quitting smoking, offering a less harmful alternative
To start your quit journey today, please contact our Stop Smoking Service on 0300 126 5700 option 1.
You are 4 times more likely to give up smoking with professional support, as opposed to going it alone. Stopping smoking will help you feel better, and will almost immediately improve your health.
We offer 12 weeks of telephone or face-to-face support, with e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement therapy sent straight to your door.
We can also offer face to face appointments in Northampton.
Contact us
If you would like help to stop smoking please call us on 0300 126 5700 (option 1). You can also email [email protected].
You can make a referral using the form link below:
What happens when you stop smoking
Your body and overall health will begin to change soon after you stop smoking. Find out more about this process.
Nicotine replacement therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) contains only nicotine and none of the damaging chemicals found in cigarettes, so it is a much better option than continuing to smoke. It helps you by giving you the nicotine you would have had from a cigarette.
Although you can purchase NRT over the counter, we recommend getting it through a specialist service and combining it with behavioural support. We can provide you with up to 12 weeks of NRT alongside one-to-one behavioural support.
Smoking in pregnancy
Stopping smoking during pregnancy is the most effective way of ensuring that your child has the best start in life. Although it can be tough to stop smoking, there is plenty of help available across Northamptonshire.
Cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals, many of which can prevent your baby from growing properly, and increase their risk of developing significant health problems.
The benefits of stopping smoking in pregnancy include:
- a reduced risk of complications in pregnancy and birth
- a reduced risk of stillbirth
- your baby is less likely to be born too early and have to face the additional breathing, feeding and health problems that often go with being premature
- an increased likelihood of having a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby
- a reduced risk of your baby being born underweight
- a reduced risk of cot death, also known as sudden infant death syndrome
Vapes
Vapes, or e-cigarettes, are also known as vaporisers or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).
They are battery-powered devices that deliver nicotine by heating a solution containing nicotine, flavourings and other additives. They consist of a mouthpiece, battery and cartridge or tank containing the nicotine solution.
Our position on vaping
Vaping is much less harmful than traditional cigarettes. Using them with face-to-face support increases the chances of quitting smoking permanently.
They are not recommended for non-smokers and cannot be sold to anyone under 18 years old.
Short-term side effects people may suffer from include:
- headaches
- sore throats
- dizziness
- coughs
Although vapes have been around for over 15 years, there is not yet enough evidence to know what the long-term effects might be.
You can view our full position on vaping and a comprehensive list of vaping statistics in our Position Statement below.
You can find more information about quitting vaping on the official NHS website.
Illicit tobacco
Illicit tobacco is often available at cheaper prices, undermining the effectiveness of taxation, making it harder for smokers to quit. Cheap tobacco also makes it easier for non-smokers to start and ex-smokers to replace.
Below are some examples of illicit tobacco:
- “Illicit white” cigarettes which have no legal market in the UK. These are cigarettes which are legally massed manufactured in factories outside of the UK and imported illegally to the UK to be sold. Duty has not been paid and the appropriate health warnings and images might not be present
- these will not conform to UK safety standards such as having reduced ignition propensity (they will not self-extinguish if not ‘puffed’ on by the smoker causing a risk of fire)
- counterfeit cigarettes which are illegally manufactured and sold by a party other than the original trademark or copyright holder
- these are completely unregulated and may contain hazardous materials as a cheap filler instead of tobacco
- genuine Non Duty Paid cigarettes which are smuggled into the UK without duty paid. As well as cigarettes made for the UK this may include cigarettes intended for sale in another country that have been smuggled into the UK or duty-free cigarettes being illegally sold, rather than kept for personal use. The health warnings will be in the language of the country where they were intended for sale
- Non-UK hand-rolling tobacco brands that are not intended for sale in the UK
- counterfeit hand-rolling tobacco is, like cigarettes, illegally manufactured and sold by a party other than the original trademark or copyright owner. It can also include the counterfeiting of non-UK products
- genuine Non Duty Paid hand-rolling tobacco brands which are sold in the UK but are products intended for non-UK markets
Illegal tobacco is available from a range of sources within some local communities, making it easier for children to start smoking and enabling them to become hooked at a young age.
Illicit tobacco trade is often part of organised crime activity and is linked to a range of other illegal trades including alcohol, people-trafficking and drug smuggling.
If you are aware of any illegal activity of illicit tobacco you should report this to your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau.
More information can be found at the illicit tobacco partnership.
Tobacco Control Strategy
You can view our Tobacco Control Strategy in the document below.
Last updated 18 November 2024