Smokers offered the chance to ‘swap to stop’ this No Smoking Day

Staff from the Darlington stop smoking hub are outside Darlington Memorial Hospital today (Weds 12 March) from 10am-4pm and 5-10pm  and outside the hospital’s Hollies restaurant from 10am-2pm, giving out information and encouraging people to swap their cigarettes for a free vape.

They will also be in the reception of Primary Healthcare, on Woodland Road, from 9am-2pm on Saturday 15 March.

Matthew Roche, cabinet member for health and housing, said: “National No Smoking Day is a great time to consider the health and financial benefits of giving up smoking. I hope people will take this opportunity to find out about the support available to help them stop smoking and take the first steps to giving up.

“Up to two thirds of smokers who don't quit will die of a smoking related illness. The hub can help you quit for good and it's never too late to try to quit!.”

The stop smoking hub, funded by the council, offers face to face and telephone support to quit smoking  through behavioural support, free vapes and nicotine replacement therapy.

Tobacco is the biggest cause of cancer, ill health and early deaths in the UK. It also has huge impacts on people’s financial situation.

Find out more about the hub and how it can help you at www.darlingtonstopsmokinghub.org.uk

The theme of this year’s National No Smoking Day is “take back your life” and aims to promote all the positive things that can happen when you stop smoking.