Vape amnesty success

A vape amnesty has been hailed a success after more than 100 smokers received advice about how to kick the habit and swapped their cigarettes for a reusable vape.

Our stop smoking team was  at Pease Monument in the town centre last Wednesday (30 April) for the vape amnesty
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They gave advice about quitting smoking to shoppers and swapped cigarettes and single use vapes for free reusable UK regulated vapes

Over the day, the team spoke to 101 people and gave out 100 vapes (60 to disposable vape users, 30 smokers and 10 people who smoked and vaped).

They collected 47 disposable vapes and everyone who smoked took away a QR code so they could make a referral to the Darlington Stop Smoking Hub. The team has already received referrals from the event.

The team held a similar advice session at Darlington Memorial hospital to coincide with staff night shifts and, in total, over both events, they spoke to 164 smokers and gave out 155 vapes.

Matt Roche, cabinet member for health and housing, said: “I am delighted that the vape amnesty was such a success. There is lots of free advice and information for anyone wanting to quit smoking at the Darlington Stop Smoking Hub online at www.darlington.gov.uk/stopsmoking  and I would urge anyone who has ever thought about stopping smoking to get in touch,

“Stopping smoking can change your life – it benefits your health, your finance and your family.”