Help in the high street for Taunton smokers

Taunton and Somerset smokers who want to quit the habit will have help in the High Street from this month, as the county’s first NHS Stop Smoking Shop opens in Taunton. It’s just one of the new ideas from Somerset’s NHS Stop Smoking Service to provide free and easy access to friendly, expert stop smoking advice and support for anyone ready and willing to quit.

Thanks to the generosity and support of the Old Market Centre the shop will be open throughout January - Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

NHS Somerset Public Health Specialist Stewart Brock said:

“We know that people are up to four times more likely to quit using the NHS Stop Smoking Service than going ‘cold turkey’. But we also know that a lot of people don’t know how to contact the service or what to expect when they do. Now, anyone can just drop in to the shop and find out about the latest treatments and one-to-one or group support we can provide anywhere in the county, and it’s all free of charge. Nicotine Replacement Therapies (such as patches and gum) and the stop smoking drug, Champix are available on prescription and the service can liaise with GP’s to organise these.

“A lot of smokers will have made a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking. Many will have tried before. Most will attempt to do it on their own or using unproven and often expensive alternative therapies. I urge anyone who is serious about quitting to pop into the shop. Come and find out how we can help you stop and stay stopped.”

Anyone who can’t visit the shop can go online to Somersetstopsmoking.nhs.uk.