Your Health
News and advice from Hull Teaching Primary Care Trust

Smokefree England - The countdown is on . . .

It's now only a few weeks until England becomes smokefree on July 1, when smoking will be banned in virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces.
The new smokefree law is being introduced to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
We may think that our workplace, pub or club is not particularly smoky, but because 85% of secondhand smoke is invisible and odourless, we are at more risk than we realise.
Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard and there is no safe level of exposure. Every time we breathe in secondhand smoke, we are breathing in over 4,000 chemicals, many of which are highly toxic and are known to cause cancer, heart disease, asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
Smokefree England will ensure a healthier environment, so everyone can socialise, relax, travel, shop and work free from the effects of secondhand smoke.
The new law is not designed to victimise smokers, but to ensure that those of us who don't want to breathe in secondhand smoke don't have to.
Further information about the legislation is available from www.smokefreeengland.co.uk

Time to quit?

If you are a smoker you may be thinking that now is as good a time as any to stop. The thought of sitting outside the pub in the wind and the rain just to 'enjoy' a cigarette is probably not that appealing to most smokers.
So, if you are considering quitting, this is where the NHS comes in. Your chances of quitting successfully are greatly increased with professional help.
The Hull and East Riding Stop Smoking Support Service runs FREE, friendly 6 week support programmes with others in the same situation as you.
Sessions are held all over the city and at various times of the day, so there's bound to be something to suit you.
Stop smoking products such as patches, gum and sprays are available on prescription and trained specialists will discuss the method best for you. If you feel you want support without group interaction that can be arranged too.
Over 17,000 smokers in this area have already quit with support from the Stop Smoking Support Service - you could join them!

Simply call the freephone number to locate your local service to get the help you need. 0800 915 5959