Stopping Smoking

Why stop smoking

Every year thousands of people also go smoke free for the first time in years. This year, you could be one of them. Going smoke free is the single most important thing you can do to dramatically increase your chances of living a longer healthier life.

National No Smoking Day is March 9th. The No Smoking Day charity offers advice and support on how to quit as well as ideas for events to help those wanting to quit.

Medical research clearly proves the damaging effects of smoking on health for the smoker and others. Smoking is the principal causes of  heart disease, strokes, many fatal cancers and breathing disorders. Smoking can reduce fertility, cause premature aging and affect sleep, to name but a few of its detrimental health effects.


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Smoke Free Legislation

On Sunday 1 July 2007 all enclosed public spaces and workplaces in England became smoke free by law. This law was introduced to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of second hand smoke. It applies to all workplaces ‘wholly or substantially enclosed’ and used by more than one person. This includes public transport and work vehicles. To be able to recognise these areas, no-smoking signs will have to be displayed in all smoke free premises and vehicles, and managers of these areas will have legal responsibilities to prevent people from smoking. A quick guide to the smoke free law.
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Support Available

Success isn’t just about willpower. It’s about being practical, having a plan and having people on your side to support you. Research suggests that smokers who stop with NHS support are four times more likely to succeed. The Occupational Health Service and the Oxfordshire Smoking Advice Service have developed a number of ways to support University staff wishing to give up smoking. We can offer face to face advice, leaflets and referral to smoking cessation clinics (see below). Help and advice can also be found at:

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Face to Face Advice

If you require support, guidance and the information to give up smoking, employees may refer themselves to the Occupational Health Service to request a smoking cessation session on 01865 (2)82676 or at enquiries@uohs.ox.ac.uk

An Occupational Health Adviser will discuss the best methods of stopping smoking for you including planning and preparing for the change, use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and maintenance of the change in behaviour. Referral to a staff member’s GP or Practice Nurse for further follow up or a smoking cessation group will be assessed and facilitated.

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Leaflets

These can be collected from the OHS at 10 Parks Road):

  • Giving up for Life
  • S is for Smoking and Pregnancy
  • Secondhand Smoke
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Other smoking cessation support websites

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Stopping using text support

The NHS has set up a service to support and motivate people to quit smoking by sending them regular text information. To find out more click on this link:

 

quit smoking (280kb)

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Find out more