Poole Central Network – Help to quit smoking ✨
As part of our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our staff, service users, and their families/carers, Poole Central Network is proud to support and promote a smoke free network.
Although smoking rates are at their lowest on record, it remains the leading cause of preventable illness and early death — and costs Dorset’s healthcare services over £22 million each year. Quitting smoking not only improves physical health but also helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
While we’ve made good progress with our smoke free approach, we understand this is a big cultural shift. Your continued support is vital in helping us fully implement this positive change for everyone’s benefit.
Help to Quit – LiveWell Dorset
Why Should I Quit Smoking
The Benefits of Quitting Smoking – From Day One
The health benefits of stopping smoking begin almost immediately and continue to build over time. Here’s what you can expect when you quit:
- After 20 minutes: Your heart rate and blood pressure start to return to normal.
- After 8 hours: Oxygen levels in your blood improve, and harmful carbon monoxide levels are cut in half.
- After 24 hours: Carbon monoxide is fully cleared from your body, and your lungs begin clearing out mucus and toxins from smoking.
- After 48 hours: Your senses of taste and smell begin to recover.
- After 72 hours: Breathing becomes easier as your bronchial tubes relax. You may feel a noticeable boost in energy.
- After 2 to 12 weeks: Circulation improves, making physical activity like walking and running much easier.
- After 5 years: Your risk of having a heart attack is about half that of someone who smokes.
- After 10 years: Your chance of developing lung cancer is around 50% lower than a smoker’s.
- After 15 years: Your risk of heart disease is almost the same as someone who has never smoked.
Thinking about surgery?
Helpful Idea to help quit
Ready to Quit Smoking? Help is Here – and It’s Free.
If you’re thinking about quitting, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to do it alone either. A free, structured 12-week stop smoking programme is available to help support you every step of the way.
How to Sign Up
You can get started in one of two ways:
Contact your GP if they offer a stop smoking service, and book an appointment.
Pop into your local pharmacy and refer yourself. The pharmacy team will have a quick chat with you and help book your first check-in.
You’ll have the option to attend check-ins in person or virtually, at times that suit you.
What to Expect from the Programme
1. Enrolment Appointment
A trained member of the pharmacy or GP team will talk with you about your smoking habits and your reasons for wanting to quit. You’ll feel supported and encouraged from day one. They’ll explain the different stop smoking aids available (like nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges), and help you choose the best option for you.
You’ll also set a quit date — the day you leave cigarettes behind.
2. Weekly Check-Ins
Each check-in is a chance to talk through your progress and any challenges you’re facing. You may also have a carbon monoxide (CO) test, which shows how your body is recovering.
Check-in 1: Review your first few days. Are you staying smokefree? Let’s talk about cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and tips to stay on track.
Check-in 2: Have you had any tricky situations or setbacks? We’ll help you plan ahead for the week and avoid common triggers.
Final Check-In: You’ve come a long way! We’ll talk about how to keep going, manage occasional cravings, and continue using stop smoking aids if needed. We’ll also signpost you to LiveWell Dorset for any extra support.
You’ll also receive nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for up to 12 weeks to support you on your journey.
Use of Vapes
Vaping and Quitting Smoking: What You Need to Know
While vaping isn’t completely risk-free, current evidence shows it carries only a small fraction of the risks associated with smoking – especially in the short and medium term.
If you’re trying to quit smoking, nicotine-containing vapes can significantly boost your chances of success, far more than relying on willpower alone.
To stay safe, it’s important to only buy vaping devices and e-liquids from trusted, reputable sources. This helps ensure quality and avoids harmful additives like diacetyl, which can damage your lungs.
Using vapes on Trust premises:
In line with national guidance, patients and staff are permitted to vape on Trust grounds, but we ask that this be done outside only to prevent setting off smoke alarms and to be respectful of others.
Vaping can be a useful stepping stone towards quitting smoking entirely — and we’re here to support you on that journey
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Steps you GP surgery may follow
GP surgeries are actively involved in helping patients quit smoking. They offer various services such as one-to-one or group stop smoking sessions, often in partnership with local stop smoking services. GPs can also prescribe nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or other stop-smoking medications like Varenicline or Cytisinicline. Furthermore, they can refer patients to specialist support services and provide guidance on choosing the right products and strategies to quit
Access Wellbeing includes three hubs Boscombe, Poole and in Weymouth, as well as drop-in spaces located in existing community settings across Dorset. These are staffed by friendly wellbeing coordinators who can take the time to listen, then help people to find the right support and advice.
Within Poole Central Network, your GP surgery can refer patients for a Social Prescriber or Wellbeing Coach, you can also self refer through Help and Care website.
Help and Care are a amazing organisation that Help you feel connected, confident, and supported
Sometimes, the things that impact our wellbeing aren’t medical at all – they’re social, emotional, or practical. That’s where our Social Prescribing Link Workers come in.
They’re here to help you look at the bigger picture of your life – and support you to find community-based solutions that build resilience, reduce isolation, and empower you to move forward.
