Walsall residents looking to quit smoking now have access to a ‘swap to stop’ offer, incorporating e-cigarettes (also known as vapes) as an extra tool to aid their journey.
The new offer builds upon Be Well Walsall’s service (funded by Walsall Council’s Public Health team) to help Walsall residents manage their health and wellbeing, which includes stop smoking support.
Their free stop smoking service currently provides up to 12 weeks of expert support and vapes will complement this existing offer. There are a number of ways people can be helped to stop smoking, tailored to their needs.
Evidence has shown that people who use e-cigarettes (that allow you to inhale nicotine in a vapour rather than smoke) to quit smoking, as well as having one-to-one support, are more likely to succeed.
While nicotine is addictive, the real danger of smoking comes from the thousands of other harmful chemicals in cigarettes. Vaping and nicotine replacement products (such as patches and gum) offer a much safer way to get nicotine without inhaling tobacco smoke. Public Health’s message for non-smokers, however, remains the same: if they do not smoke, they should not vape.
Anyone living, working or registered with a GP in Walsall can get free stop smoking support from Be Well Walsall and the option to receive a 12-week supply of vapes as an aid to quit smoking.
“ Offering e-cigarettes (vapes) as part of our stop smoking support in Walsall is important to help residents quit smoking and to help them remain quit for the long-term. We believe that offering e-cigarettes as part of a structured quitting plan could help many residents make the transition to a smoke-free life.
We are working towards the ambition to create a Smokefree Generation, for England to be smoke-free by 2030 and meet our local ambitions for Walsall to have reduced smoking rates. Now is the time for you to take back your life and quit smoking. Even if you have attempted to quit before, give it another go. You will see the health benefits from the moment you stop smoking your last cigarette. “
Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing
Walsall Council
“ Smoking is a leading cause of death and ill health in the country, as well as here in Walsall. Smoking rates have been reducing over time, but there is still a lot more work to do to bring them down to meet our ambitions to be Smokefree by 2030.
Vaping, combined with expert support can be used effectively to help people quit smoking. Though not risk free, vaping is considerably safer than smoking.
Vaping is not recommended for those who have not smoked. Anyone under 18 years old should not be vaping and it is illegal to sell or buy vapes for under 18s.
I would encourage any Walsall residents looking to quit smoking to take up the free support available from Be Well Walsall. “
Nadia Inglis, Director of Public Health
Walsall Council
To access stop smoking support from Be Well Walsall, text SMOKEFREE to 60777 and a health and wellbeing coach will be in touch to discuss further. Alternatively, to find out more visit https://bww.maximusuk.co.uk/ or call 01922 444044.