MONDAY, 11 DECEMBER, 2023

Photograph attached: l-r: NHS Tayside Health Promotion Worker Nicola Birse and Lisa Clelland

Stop smoking and save money this Christmas!

A Dundee woman is looking forward to a brighter Christmas after successfully quitting smoking after 21 years.

Lisa Clelland, who started smoking at the age of 15, made the decision to stop smoking after seeking support from her local Boots pharmacy on Macalpine Road.

Although Lisa always disliked the smell of smoking, she previously smoked 10 cigarettes a day and often smoked while in social situations or when outside walking her dog. She wanted to make a change after she started to feel pains in her chest and recognised that carrying on smoking could have a negative impact on her health.

Lisa was walking past her local pharmacy when she saw a stop smoking poster in the window and she was inspired to pop in to seek support to quit smoking through the free Quit Your Way programme. Lisa was provided with a range of information about the support available locally to quit smoking, such as free Nicotine Replacement Therapy products and the Tayside Stop Smoking Incentive Scheme.

Motivated to stay on track, Lisa has not had a single cigarette since signing up to the 12-week Quit Your Way programme which provides weekly support to remain smoke free.

By staying smoke free and taking part in the Tayside Stop Smoking Incentive Scheme, Lisa has also received £150 worth of supermarket vouchers, in addition to the money she has saved by not smoking.

On average, smokers who smoke 20 cigarettes a day can save up to £840 in 12 weeks and over £3,000 in a year by giving up smoking.

Lisa said, “Since giving up smoking, I feel much more confident, my health is better and even my skin feels different. I feel so happy.

“The staff in Boots have been a fantastic support and I always received positive feedback each week. I have a physical job and I have really noticed a difference in my health, and the money I have saved is ridiculous! It is a great feeling to put the money I have saved towards Christmas. The money I am saving from not buying cigarettes is being spent on better things and helps to take the stress out of unexpected bills, like getting my car fixed.

“My family are as pleased as I am that I have quit smoking, and they have all noticed that I am a lot happier since stopping smoking.”

NHS Tayside Health Promotion Worker Nicola Birse said, “Congratulations to Lisa for this amazing achievement. Her experience shows that just because you have smoked for a long time, it doesn’t mean you always have to.

“Quitting smoking can lead to so many benefits - it will save you money but it can also lead to improved physical health. Giving up smoking is the single most important lifestyle decision that anyone can make to improve their health immediately.

“People are four times more likely to stop smoking for good if they use the stop smoking support available. You can access free medication and support that’s right for you at your local community pharmacy, which improves your success of quitting long-term.

“NHS Tayside Quit Your Way services are available for anyone who wants to stop smoking in Tayside.”

People can visit any local community pharmacy or call the Quit Your Way service locally on 01382 424127 or email tay.smokingcessationservice@nhs.scot to find out about all the ways NHS Tayside can help support people to become smoke free.

NHS Tayside also has an incentive scheme to quit smoking that offers £50 a month in weekly vouchers to spend at a local supermarket. Your local pharmacy can give you more information and let you know if you are eligible for the incentive scheme.

You can find and like the Tayside Quit Your Way service page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nhstaysidequityourway, where you can find lots of information about the support available.

NHS Tayside has a strict No Smoking Policy which makes all NHS Tayside premises and grounds smoke free, a policy which is line with all Health Board sites across Scotland.

Legislation has also been introduced by the Scottish Government, making it an offence to smoke within 15 metres of a hospital building.

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138