Help to stop smoking

Smoking is the main cause of preventable illness and premature death. It harms most organs in your body and reduces quality of life and your life expectancy.

We offer free advice about giving up. Going to a drop-in session can help you to make a personal plan to stop smoking and deal with cravings.

If you want to stop smoking, help is available:

  • from your doctor
  • by getting an appointment with a stop smoking advisor
  • from a pharmacy
  • from drop-in sessions

Smokefree North Somerset has helped over 25,000 people to quit smoking who now feel healthier, happier and have more money to spend on the things they enjoy.

You will receive free support to help you give up with a combination of advice and stop smoking aids on prescription for at least 12 weeks (free if you don't pay prescription charges). 

Smoking and pregnancy

The best thing you can do for your health, and to help your baby develop healthily during pregnancy and beyond, is for you and your partner to stop smoking. It reduces the risks of ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, cot death, stillbirth, attention deficit disorder and many other illnesses and diseases.

Pregnant women receive free medications and support to stop smoking. Your midwife can refer you to one of our specially trained advisors who will give you all the support you need to quit.

Smoking before having an operation

Giving up smoking in the months before you go into hospital is best, but there will be benefits even if you quit for a few days:

  • smokers usually require more anaesthetic than normal - stopping before your surgery means you will recover more quickly with less need for oxygen therapy
  • smokers often stay in hospital longer because the risk of complications is higher
  • you are less likely to develop a chest infection following therapy
  • wounds heal more quickly - smoker’s wounds take longer to heal due to the effect of nicotine on the production of essential healing chemicals
  • there is a lower risk of developing dangerous blood clots after surgery
  • you will need less pain relief

Hospital environments are totally smoke free, which means anyone visiting you in hospital won’t be able to smoke. Nicotine replacement therapy is available, so ask on the ward.