Did you know?

The average smoker spends £4,800 on cigarettes every year. Over 20 years this amounts to £96,000!
Smoke Free App with NRT

You can access additional support quitting smoking through the Smoke Free App on your smartphone. This is an enhanced service of up to 12 weeks supply of your chosen vape or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) which can be home delivered within 48 hours of your request, 24/7 access to stop smoking advisors and craving tips and feedback about triggers. Scan the QR code or follow this link to download the app.

Smoke Free App QR code
12 Week support with an advisor and NRT

Our team offers free online, telephone and community-based face-to-face appointments, offering you the ability to access stop smoking specialist support in a variety of ways. Online appointments include all the services you get from telephone support. 

Register here: Merton NHS health and wellbeing service - One You Merton

Please call 020 8973 3545 or email: oneyou.merton@nhs.net

Allen Carr’s Easyway

Allen Carr's Easyway is a method designed to help people overcome smoking and tobacco addiction. The approach focuses on changing how individuals feel about their addiction, making it easier to quit without feeling deprived.

It is known for being effective, enjoyable, and requiring no willpower. The method is delivered through a one-time seminar with experienced facilitators who have successfully used the method themselves and does not require the use of additional stop smoking aids such as NRT and vapes.

Register here: Allen Carr's Easyway

Swap to Stop

Swap to Stop is a free national scheme to help adult smokers quit smoking for good by using reusable vapes.

Swap to Stop is for adult smokers who want to quit smoking. It's not for people younger than 18 years old or for people who do not currently smoke tobacco products.

If you join Swap to Stop, you will:

  • get a voucher code for a reusable vape kit and e-liquids
  • select the strengths and flavours that are right for you
  • set a quit date
  • have access to free quitting support, such as a stop smoking service or a free personalised quit plan.

Register here: Merton NHS health and wellbeing service - One You Merton

For more information, please call 020 8973 3545 or email: oneyou.merton@nhs.net 

Pregnancy
Smoking in pregnancy

Smoking or second-hand smoke during pregnancy increases the risk of stillbirth, complications during labour, low birth weight and miscarriage. Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health, well-being and pregnancy. We operate a non-judgmental service, where you will be listened to and respected. We have stop smoking specialists who will work with you to decide on the best way to quit smoking.

Register here: Merton NHS health and wellbeing service - One You Merton

For more information, please call 020 8973 3545 or email: oneyou.merton@nhs.net 

Catch 22
Support for children and young people

We recognise that vaping is an effective aid to help adults quit smoking. However, some children and young people vape without being smokers and find it hard to quit vaping. We support children and young people who want to stop vaping or smoking. We are a specialist service that is age-appropriate, multi-disciplinary and relevant to the wider vulnerabilities facing children and young people. We are non-judgmental and committed to finding the best option to help you quit vaping or smoking.

For more information please call 020 3701 8641 or email: msm@catch-22.org.uk

Register here: Merton Young Person’s Risk and Resilience - Catch22

Do you want to make 2025 the year that you quit smoking?

Whether you’re planning to have stopped before No Smoking Day on 12 March or set that as your quit date, there is free help at hand through every stage of your journey to becoming a non-smoker. Choose the best way for you.

“Cigarettes are the biggest cause of entirely preventable illness and death in the UK. Smoking substantially increases the risk of heart disease, strokes, many cancers, dementia, and lung disease, among others. It harms those around the smoker, including children and unborn babies.” - Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer

How to prepare for your quit day

  • Pick the date and mark it on your calendar 
  • Think about what support you will need, discuss this with your stop smoking advisor 
  • Decide on a plan, will you want telephone support or face-to-face? What about vapes? Patches? Lozenges? Discuss this with your stop smoking advisor
  • Think about your previous quit attempts, what would you do differently now?
  • Think about triggers, are you more likely to smoke with friends or after a meal? 
  • Practice how you will react if you are offered a cigarette, “No thanks, I do not smoke”
  • Tell people about your quit date, your friends/ co-workers are less likely to smoke near you if they know you plan to quit
  • Remember, never stop trying to quit, its a journey. Discuss any issues you are having with your stop smoking advisor 

Your body keeps the score 

The benefits of becoming a non-smoker can be felt within minutes of quitting, as well as improving your health in the months, years and decades to come. 

  • 20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate returns to normal levels.
  • 8 to 12 hours after quitting, you blood carbon monoxide level drops.  
  • 48 hours after quitting, your ability to smell and taste improves. 
  • 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting, your risk of heart attack drops. 
  • 1 to 9 months after quitting, you’ll feel less short of breath and cough less.  
  • 1 year after quitting, your risk of heart disease will be cut in half.  
  • 10 years after quitting, your risk of lung cancer drops to that of someone who’s never smoked 
  • 15 years after quitting, you risk of heart disease is the same as someone who’s never smoked.