Get help to quit smoking

It’s No Smoking Day and health chiefs are urging people to choose today (March 11) to kick the habit.

Smoking is still a serious health issue in Lincolnshire with higher than average rates of adult smokers according to the NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB).

Recent national figures show that fewer people are smoking in England, with rates dropping to 10.4% in 2024, the lowest level since records began. However14.4% of adults in the county smoke and some areas have even higher rates - Boston, at 19.6%, has the highest smoking rate in the East Midlands and one of the highest in the country.

Smoking continues to cause high levels of illness locally, including hundreds of new lung cancer cases every year. To help tackle this the ICB is working with local NHS trusts and partner organisations to strengthen support for people who want to quit, improve access to treatment, and make it easier for people to get help in both healthcare and community settings.

Quitting smoking is one of the best things anyone can do for their health. People are up to three times more likely to quit successfully when they get professional support.

Dr Sunil Hindocha, Medical Director for NHS Lincolnshire ICB, said: “Smoking is extremely harmful to our health. It is the biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK. It can lead to the disease developing in parts of the body other than just the lungs and throat.

“Cigarettes also cause damage to the heart and blood vessels and greatly increase the chances of dementia.

“Stopping smoking is one of the best things people can do for their health and, as we approach No Smoking Day, I hope many will take this opportunity to quit.”

Free help is available through the NHS website Quit smoking – Better Health – NHS, and local stop-smoking support including one-to-one coaching is available via One You Lincolnshire. You can also download the NHS Quit Smoking app from the App Store or Google Play.