Flu hospitalisations are surging. In winter, colds and flu hit harder for people who smoke - but stopping helps. NHS teams, councils and communities all play a part.
Free local stop smoking support is available. It’s never too late to quit.👇 @smokefreenhsne.bsky.social

Carrie has supported people to quit smoking with
@N_landCouncil. Over 25 years of stop smoking services, partners have seen how stop smoking aids, emotional support & flexible appointments help more people achieve a #SmokefreeFuture.
Here’s her advice 🔽

Stopping smoking can give you money you didn’t know you had.💷 Frankie from County Durham saved around £400 a month after quitting. Imagine what that could do for Christmas 🎄 Presents, dinner, decorations…small changes, big difference. Watch his story 🔽 #SmokeFreeFuture

2/2 Together we can support stronger immune systems, easier breathing and fewer hospital visits. Free local stop smoking support is available. It's vital to remind people that it’s never too late to quit. @smokefreenhsne.bsky.social

Big Tobacco make record profits year on year. In the meantime, our NHS and local economy is impacted and people who smoke face a lifetime of ill health.
A levy on tobacco companies could raise £700 MILLION every year for stop smoking support and prevention.

Smoking worsens winter pressures on the NHS. Tobacco not only causes disease - during the winter it also makes viruses such as flu and COPD worse.
It's vital to remind people that it’s never too late to quit.
@smokefreenhsne.bsky.social

Tobacco companies told people filters make smoking safer – it was a lie. Filters don’t protect people from cancer, COPD and other diseases caused by smoking.
Filters are harmful to health and harmful to our environment – they make up 66% of littered items in the UK.

1/2 Tobacco companies sold people a lie that filters made smoking safer. But filters don’t protect smokers from cancer-causing chemicals, and cigarette butts are the world’s no.1 littered item.

#LungCancerAwarenessMonth
Alfie smoked for almost 60 years. A lung cancer diagnosis made him quit - with local NHS support. “If I can stop after 60 years, so can you. Let’s continue supporting people like Alfie every day. @smokefreenhsne.bsky.social

2/2 Smoking is now at a record low of 10.4% in the North East and North Cumbria.
Together, we’re changing lives and reducing pressure on the NHS. Listen to Smokefree NHS Strategic Manager
@NENC_NHS Rachel Mcilvenna @smokefreenhsne.bsky.social

1/2 Three years of lifesaving work.
Our NHS Tobacco Dependency Teams across the North East & North Cumbria have:
✅ Identified 95,845 patients who smoke
✅Referred 67,900 for in-hospital support
✅Helped 2,925 patients achieve smoke-free lives

Mark helps people break tobacco addiction with
Northumberland County Council Stop Smoking Service. In the 25th Year of stop smoking services, Mark has seen life-enhancing changes – more quit aids, behavioural support, & flexible appointments – all helping more people achieve a #SmokeFreeFuture.

124,000 young people have started smoking since the Tobacco & Vapes Bill. 73% of NE adults support raising the age of sale.
As it reaches Lords Committee, @DHSCgovuk
calls for evidence on licensing - we’ll submit with a #SmokeFreeFuture at the heart.

1/2 Three years of lifesaving work! Our NHS Tobacco Dependency Teams across the North East & North Cumbria have:
✅ Identified 95,845 patients who smoke
✅Referred 67,900 for in-hospital support
✅Helped 2,925 patients achieve smoke-free lives

Linzi has spent 3 years helping people quit with
@ntcouncilteam.bsky.social. In 25 years of stop smoking services, we've seen big changes – more NRT, emotional support & flexible appointments – all helping more people achieve a #SmokeFreeFuture 🔽