Welcome to the new Family Connect website

Family Connect is a free, confidential service providing, impartial advice, information, guidance and support on a full range of children's services available across the borough including childcare, activities, school admissions and finance.

Family Connect aims to ensure that families are getting the right help at the right time.

You are here: Home | Home | Parenting support | Smoking

Smoking

Should I give up smoking? 

Smoking in pregnancy

Smokefree provide advice and support about smoking during your pregnancy:

Real life success story - using the NHS Stop Smoking Service Adviser

Real life success story - using the NHS Smokefree Pregnancy Helpline

Topics of interest

Stop smoking medicines/therapies/aids

 

A picture of a lady wearing a nicotine patch on her shoulder
Improve your chances of quitting successfully with stop smoking medicines, therapies and aids:

Medicines

Alternative therapies

Electronic cigarettes

Choose the right support for you

 

 
A picture of a group of people standing together making a hand symbol

Local Stop Smoking Services

 

Developed by experts and ex-smokers and delivered by professionals, your local Stop Smoking Service provides expert advice, support and encouragement to help you stop smoking for good.


Speak to an expert

Call the free Smokefree National Helpline to speak to a trained, expert adviser. Call now 0300 123 1044.

Quitting support

Smokefree has lots of free support to help you stop for good. Choose from the smartphone app, email programme or text messages that will help keep you focused wherever you are.


Chat to an adviser online

Want information now? Use the web chat facility to talk to an expert today.

Join the Smokefree online community

Swap tips and get advice from people just like you through the Facebook community

The health benefits of quitting

A picture of a lung filled with words about dangers of smoking

Stopping smoking can make a drastic improvement to your lifestyle and health in ways you might not expect. Once you stop smoking, some of the benefits are immediate and some are longer-term. The information below has been collected from from the Smoke Free website:

After 20 minutes

Pulse rate returns to normal.

After 8 hours

Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by more than half and oxygen levels return to normal.

After 48 hours

Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.

After 48 hours

There is no nicotine in the body. Ability to taste and smell is improved.

After 72 hours

Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.

After 2 - 12 weeks

Your circulation improves.

After 3 - 9 months

Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%.

After 1 year

Risk of heart disease is about half compared with a person who is still smoking.

After 10 years

Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.

After 15 years

Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.

View more information about how smoking affects your body.

Parenting support and advice

Get in touch

Getting the right help at the right time - contact Family Connect now!

Online enquiry form


Healthy Lifestyles Hub

  • Telephone: 01952 382582

Smokefree NHS

 

Smokefree NHS support

Quit now with Smokefree NHS

There's never been a better time to stop smoking.

Sign up today for FREE, proven support.

Download the Smokefree NHS app

Get daily tips, support and motivation with this free stop smoking app. Join the thousands who have already quit with our support.

Download iTunes app | Download Google Play