Stop Smoking Solihull

Smoking cigarettes or loose tobacco is the biggest cause of premature death and preventable disease in the UK.

Stopping smoking now will benefit your health, wellbeing and wealth by helping you to:

  • feel better
  • look better
  • have more money

Did you know you’re three times more likely to quit with the help of a Stop Smoking service?

SmokeFree Solihull is a free, and easy-to-access service if you live in Solihull or have a Solihull GP.

Make a referral to SmokeFree Solihull

Call us on 0121 740 1212 for support to help you stop smoking.

Swap to Stop

Solihull residents who smoke are invited to ‘swap to stop’ to help them quit.

The Swap to Stop programme aims to cut smoking rates by providing free four-week vape kits for adult smokers, alongside behavioural support sessions (if required) delivered by the Solihull Stop Smoking service.

Anyone who smokes and lives in a Solihull postcode or is registered with a Solihull GP can take part.

To register for Swap to Stop, call Solihull Connect on 0121 704 6000 and speak to an advisor, who will send the vape kit out in the post.

People taking part will also be offered sessions with our Stop Smoking providers, which will take place after the four week programme.

You can get help to stop smoking in the community.

How does it work?

At your regular one-to-one appointments, held at convenient times and locations, you and your Stop Smoking Advisor will create a tailored action plan together.

You will be provided with:

  • information and access to stop smoking medications, including e-cigarettes
  • help with prescription costs (if necessary)
  • advice, support and encouragement from your Stop Smoking Advisor
  • 24/7 support via the Smoke Free app

What to expect

The best way to quit smoking is with support and medication, and the Solihull Stop Smoking service can provide you with both. While it’s natural to be nervous at your first appointment you’ll find we are a friendly and helpful team. It’s important you are completely honest with your Stop Smoking Advisor as that is how we create your 12 week tailored plan. Referrals to the service can be made on the SmokeFree Solihull website.

If you don’t know what medication you want to use, your Stop Smoking Practitioner will provide you with expert guidance about nicotine replacement products, such gum and patches, and the option of a quit attempt with the use of e-cigarettes.

As part of the tailored support package, you will have your carbon monoxide reading taken, which is a quick and simple breath test, and shows how much carbon monoxide is in your system. It’s great when it goes to a ‘non-smoker’ reading and people tell us how much better they feel - sometimes physically, other times financially and mentally.

The support package also includes six months access to the Smoke Free app, which provides 24/7 support from experienced stop smoking advisors and a 12-week supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

You can register for the app on SmokeFreeapp.com

Stopping smoking isn’t an easy thing to do, but with the right support, medication and motivation from the stop smoking team we’ll give you the best chance to quit.

Protecting your baby from tobacco smoke is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life. It can be difficult to stop smoking, but it's never too late to quit.

Every cigarette you smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, so smoking when you are pregnant harms your unborn baby. Cigarettes can restrict the essential oxygen supply to your baby. As a result, their heart must beat harder every time you smoke.

Benefits of stopping smoking in pregnancy

Stopping smoking will help both you and your baby immediately. Harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, and other damaging chemicals will clear from your body. When you stop smoking:

  • you will reduce the risk of complications in pregnancy and birth
  • you are more likely to have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby
  • you will reduce the risk of stillbirth
  • your baby is less likely to be born too early and have to face the breathing, feeding and health problems that often go with being premature
  • your baby is less likely to be born with a low birth weight. Babies of smokers are, on average, 200g (about 8oz) lighter than other babies, which can cause problems during and after labour. For example, they are more likely to have problems keeping warm and are more likely to get infections
  • you will reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also known as cot death.

Stopping smoking now will also help your baby later in life. Children whose parents smoke are more likely to suffer from asthma and other serious illnesses that may need hospital treatment.

The sooner you stop smoking, the better. But even if you stop in the last few weeks of your pregnancy this will benefit you and your baby.

The NHS offers specialist support for pregnant women who are trying to quit smoking.

  • Call us on 0121 740 1212
  • or speak to your midwife who can refer you to the Stop Smoking Service at any stage of your pregnancy.

Your local Community Advice Hub could put you in contact with the best support and information to finally stop smoking cigarettes.

You can visit the hubs in:

You're roughly twice as likely to quit smoking if you use e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, compared with other nicotine replacement products like patches and gum.

While e-cigarettes aren’t completely risk free, they are a healthier option compared to cigarettes.

The NHS provides advice on using e-cigarettes to stop smoking.

Vapes are also available through the Stop Smoking programme, following an initial consultation and assessment (certain exclusion criteria applies).