Hounslow Council to help people stop smoking from January

Hounslow Council is encouraging smokers in the borough aged 12 and above to quit for good in 2025 with the help of Healthy Hounslow, which offers free support to stop smoking for all residents.

Healthy Hounslow's expert team of advisers provide 1-2-1 personal behavioural support for people who want to quit, either face-to-face or over the phone, giving people the tools to quit for good.

When people sign up for Healthy Hounslow's stop smoking service, they also get a choice of, nicotine replacement therapy or a free vape kit. Vape kits are only available for people aged 18 and over.

A new video highlights more elements of the support people have received, along with more aspects of the support on offer.

Alastair, who stopped smoking with the help of Healthy Hounslow, said:

"I was always supported and I was contacted regularly by an adviser at an agreed time. The transition from smoking cigarettes to using a vape was not as hard as I thought it would be.

"Do I miss cigarettes? Sometimes, I will admit, but the smell of them now makes me want to get away from them. Mentally I have a picture that I don't need them. The smell on my clothes and on my fingers has gone and that in itself is satisfying. And I've saved a ton of money!"

Hounslow has a high number of smokers

Efforts to help people stop smoking are particularly important in Hounslow, where 13.4% of adults currently smoke. This is higher than the numbers for London (11.7%) and the whole of England (11.6%).

Councillor Lily Bath, Hounslow Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Integration, said:

"We're aware that Hounslow has a higher than average number of smokers, so it's vital that we offer free support for people who want to quit.

"Doing so will not only save lives, it will also take pressure off our local NHS services who treat thousands of people with smoking-related illnesses. That's why we're determined to help as many people as possible to stop smoking this year. I'm proud of the work Healthy Hounslow has done to make Hounslow a healthier borough so far. Let's get behind them and spread the word so they can do even more in 2025."