Thurrock Council is helping residents take a step towards quitting smoking by sharing the free and flexible support that is available.
Wednesday 12 March marks National No Smoking Day, an annual campaign encouraging smokers to quit smoking for good.
Quitting smoking has significant health benefits, reducing the risk of smoke-related diseases such as lung disease, heart disease, and respiratory infections. It also improves both physical and mental well-being.
Residents can get help to stop smoking by arranging an appointment with a Stop Smoking Advisor, who will help to set a quit date and advise on how to take smoking out of the daily routine. 12 weeks of support is available, along with nicotine replacement therapy or vapes, as part of the Swap to Stop initiative.
Residents can also download the free NHS Quit Smoking app to track their progress and get daily motivation.
Cllr Mark Hooper, Cabinet Member for Health and Well-being, said:
"No Smoking Day is a great opportunity for smokers in Thurrock to take that first step towards quitting. We understand that stopping smoking is challenging, but with the right support, it is achievable.
"We can offer tailored advice and guidance to give you the best chance to stop smoking and I would encourage anyone thinking about stopping smoking to reach out and take advantage of the support available."
For more information on the help and advice that's available to help quit smoking, visit the Help to stop smoking webpage.