A COUNCIL is urging Hampshire residents to quit smoking ahead of No Smoking Day, as research shows it increases the risk of some types of dementia.

On Wednesday, March 8, it is No Smoking Day and the Hampshire County Council (HCC) is encouraging smokers to give quitting a go.

Residents wanting to give up smoking can sign up to to their local Smokefree Hampshire service, which offers free help, advice and quitting aids.

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Cllr Liz Fairhurst, HCC's executive lead member for adult services and public health, said: “This year’s No Smoking Day theme is 'stopping smoking protects your brain health' and reminds smokers that giving up isn’t just about improving physical health.

"We know that most smokers want to give up the habit, but quitting can be daunting, so it’s important to remember that no-one needs to go it alone. By signing up to an expert-led stop smoking support service like Smokefree Hampshire, smokers wanting to stop for good are much more likely to succeed.”

While the number of adults smoking in Hampshire has fallen over time, according to the public health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), smoking is estimated to cost Hampshire over £348m last year, £98m of which was on health and social care costs and £246m on productivity.

The council commissions Solutions4Health to provide a free and confidential stop smoking service via Smokefree Hampshire, who have helped more than 10,000 smokers in the county quit since 2019.

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The Smokefree service offers a variety of methods for quitting, including free nicotine replacement therapy, medications and vaping vouchers.

Cllr Fairhurst added: “It’s never too late to quit and feel the benefits of better health. No Smoking Day is a good time to start because you’re joining thousands of other people who are stopping too.”

People can self-refer to Smokefree Hampshire by calling the Quitline on 01264 563039, by texting Quit to 66777 or via the website at smokefreehampshire.co.uk