6,500 in Lincolnshire quit smoking this year

NHS Lincolnshire said around 6,500 people have successfully quit smoking this year thanks to its new self-help service. The Phoenix Stop Smoking Service, part of Lincolnshire Community Health Service’s (LCHS) NHS Trust, has managed to reach its annual targets in helping people across the county quit smoking. Some 12,000 people signed up for the service last year. Of that, 6,500 (54%) managed to quit their smoking habit in just four weeks.

The service lead at LCHS, Stephanie Heathcote, said: “The Phoenix team has worked extremely hard and has produced some incredible results with higher quit rates than ever before.” “The Pheonix Stop Smoking Service works closely with healthcare professionals, including GPs and pharmacies and has dedicated advisors on hand at venues throughout the county, including at its four Health Shops in Boston, Skegness, Gainsborough and Lincoln.”

She added: “Clients are four times more likely to stop smoking with the help of Phoenix. The service offers free appointments to suit individual needs, including late evenings, Saturdays and also a telephone service.” “It’s never too late to stop smoking as the health benefits are immediate.”