“I couldn’t have done it without her help.”

10 March 2015

Helen James, a minimum data set co-ordinator at the Royal Free London, gave up smoking in October 2014 with the help of the stop smoking service.

“I decided to give up for ‘Stoptober’ last year but thought I would be more likely to succeed with some help. That’s when I contacted the Royal Free London’s stop smoking service and was given an appointment with an advisor that same week.

“We agreed a stop date, discussed the different options available for aiding my cessation and also talked about why I was giving up.

“Since then I have attended regular follow up meetings where we talk through times I have been tempted to smoke and work out how to avoid those situations.

“At every stage I had the help and support of my amazing quitting advisor, who never judged me if I slipped up or felt like giving up on giving up. I really couldn’t have done it without her help.”

The Royal Free London offers a specialist, friendly, confidential and responsive service to all patients, visitors and staff who want to quit smoking for good. Find out more about our stop smoking service.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published public health smoking cessation guidance specifically for hospitals, which includes offering support for people to stop smoking and making all NHS secondary care hospitals completely smoke free.

Smoke free policies have received widespread support. A 2011 YouGov poll found that 82% of people surveyed believed that having smoke free environments was good for the health of the population.

Media contacts: daniel.obrien1@nhs.net or call 0207 317 7740