FRIDAY, 09 OCTOBER, 2026

Photograph attached: Staff from the Quit Your Way team and staff from Just Bee Dundee launching the Countdown to Christmas campaign

Quit your Way – 12-week countdown to a Merry Quitmas

NHS Tayside’s Quit Your Way service teamed up with Just Bee charity

to launch their annual campaign encouraging people to give up smoking for good in time for Christmas.

It might only be October, but as the 12-week countdown to Christmas begins, the Quit Your Way team is highlighting the health and financial benefits of stopping smoking.

The team will be sharing information on social media each week to promote the support available in Tayside to help people quit smoking. They will also be visiting community venues across Tayside over the next 12 weeks to offer advice and guidance to anyone who would like support to quit smoking. They will joined by colleagues from oral health teams who will also provide advice on getting registered with a dentist and how to improve your dental health.

Health promotion worker Sarah Armstrong said, “We know Christmas might feel like a long time away but there is no better time to quit and give yourself the best gift this Christmas by being smoke-free.

“We know that people in our communities are still feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and, with only 12 weeks until Christmas, we know that people will soon start to turn their thoughts to treating loved ones. What better way to save money but also improve your health over the coming months by stopping smoking?

“People are more likely to stop smoking for good if they use the support available. You can access free medication and support that’s right for you at your local community pharmacy.”

Claire Bee from Just Bee, a charity working to help individuals and families combat poverty in Dundee, said, “We are delighted to be working alongside NHS Tayside to highlight this important campaign to individuals who use our service. Having the tobacco team visit has brought the topic to life again and has enabled everyone to reflect on the health benefits that stopping smoking can have and we have seen a direct impact on individuals.

“Stopping smoking makes a huge difference to individuals physical health, as well as saving money which is important at any point but especially on the run up to Christmas”

You can speak to NHS Tayside’s smoking cessation team at the following venues over the next 12 weeks:

October:

• Thursday, 1 October, 1pm – 3pm – The Steeple, Dundee

• Thursday, 8 October, 10.30am – 11.45am - Letham4All – Moncrieffe

• Thursday, 8 October, 12pm to 1pm – Walled Garden, Murray Royal Hospital

• Tuesday, 13 October, 11am to 12pm – Lochee Parish Church, Dundee

• Tuesday, 13 October, 12-2pm – Well Bean Café, Forfar

• Wednesday, 14 October, 10am- 12pm – Well Bean Café, Forfar

• Wednesday, 14 October, 1pm – 2pm, Menzieshill Parish Church

• Thursday, 15 October, 9.30am – 11am, Fintry Church, Dundee

• Monday, 26 October, 10am-12pm – Fairfield Community Larder, Dundee

• Tuesday 27 October, 11am-12pm – Charleston Community Centre, Dundee

• Thursday, 29 October, 10am-12pm – JARS Community Hub, Brechin

November:

• Thursday, 19 November, 10.30am – 11.45am - Letham4All - Moncrieffe

• Thursday, 19 November, 12pm – 1pm – Walled Garden, Murray Royal Hospital

• Wednesday, 25 November, 1pm -2pm, Menzieshill Parish Church, Dundee

December:

• Tuesday, 1 December, 12-2pm – Well Bean Café, Forfar

• Wednesday, 2 December, 11am-1pm, Just Bee, Meadowside St Paul’s Church, Dundee

• Thursday, 3 December, 10am-12pm – Kirriemuir Food Hub

• Thursday, 3 December, 1pm-3pm - The Steeple, Dundee

• Tuesday, 8 December, 11am-12pm - Lochee Parish Church, Dundee

• Wednesday, 9 December, 10am-12pm – Well Bean Café @ Hillcrest Hope Point, Dundee

• Wednesday, 9 December, 12-2pm - Well Bean Café, Arbroath

• Thursday, 10 December, 10am-12pm – Fintry Church, Dundee

• Monday, 14 December, 10am-12pm - Fairfield Community Larder, Dundee

• Tuesday, 22 December, 11am-12pm – Charleston Community Centre, Dundee

On average, people 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.

People can visit any local community pharmacy, call the Quit Your Way service 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.

The Tayside Stop Smoking Incentive Scheme offers eligible people £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.

For more information about the support available, you can follow the Tayside Quit Your Way service page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nhstaysidequityourway.

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138