How the Community Tobacco Dependency Treatment Service can help you

There’s never been a better time.

Our NHS recognises the harms of smoking which is why all hospitals across the North East and North Cumbria are now completely smokefree which means no smoking anywhere on our hospital sites.

Smoking causes causes ill health and can increase your chances of dying much earlier. Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your physical and mental health.

At Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) we recognise that people want to stop smoking but may find it difficult to attend local services. Therefore we are now able to offer you a service in a place that is more familiar to you.

With the right support, you’re more likely to succeed.

At CNTW we are now able to offer you a personalised support programme to help you to stop smoking.

We can offer you support for up to 24 weeks.

To help keep you motivated we can offer you:

• 24 weeks of one to one behavioural support from a qualified tobacco advisor
• A refillable vape, plus up to 24 weeks of e-liquid
• Nicotine replacement therapy
• Love2shop gift vouchers

1. At your first appointment, your tobacco advisor will discuss a personalised plan with you. Your advisor will ask questions to understand your smoking behaviour.
2. Your tobacco advisor will discuss whether you would prefer a free vape, nicotine replacement therapy, or both if you are a heavy smoker. These products will help manage nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
3. You can take your chosen products away with you and set a date to return and see your tobacco advisor for further support.
4. At each contact, your tobacco advisor will:

• check your progress, offer advice
• ask you to blow into their carbon monoxide monitor
• ensure you have enough e-liquid or nicotine replacement therapy
• issue Love2shop gift vouchers at specified points in the program.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Nicotine Replacement Therapy provides clean nicotine without harmful tobacco toxins. It helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings and should be used regularly throughout the day.

• Lozenges
• Inhalator
• Nasal spray
• Nicotine patches
• Mouth spray
• Mini Lozenge
• Vape and e-liquid

People with mental health conditions are more likely to smoke and often smoke more heavily, leading to a higher risk of early death and prolonged ill health. Those on antipsychotic medication may also require higher doses of their treatment.

Quitting smoking can significantly improve your mental health.

Stopping smoking:

• reduces anxiety, depression, and stress
• your antipsychotic medication could be reduced by half, we will monitor this
• reduces your risk of psychosis
• improves your self confidence

The average smoker can save on average £48.00 per week by quitting smoking. That’s nearly £2,500 per year!

“ If you smoke, the single most important thing you can do is to stop. Getting the right specialist support will help you achieve this.”

Dr Ruth Sharrock, North East Respiratory Consultant

Stopping smoking increases your chances of living a longer life. It can take as little as 20 minutes for your body to start healing once you quit smoking:

After 20 minutes
Your blood pressure and heart rate return to normal.

After 8 hours
Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in your blood half. Oxygen levels return to normal.

After 48 hours
Carbon monoxide has left the body. Your ability to taste and smell is greatly improved.

After 72 hours
Your breathing becomes easier and energy levels improve.

After 2-12 weeks
Blood is pumping through the heart and muscles and circulation improves.

After 1 year
The risk of a heart attack has halved.

After 10 years
The risk of dying from lung cancer has halved.

Stopping smoking not only improves your physical health but is now known to improve your mental health and well-being by reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and will have an overall improvement on your mood.

If you wish to speak to a member of the Tobacco Dependency Treatment Service please ask a member of the nursing team to contact us or email us on [email protected]

Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Tel: 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2025 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Ref, PIC/833/0625 June 2025 V1

www.cntw.nhs.uk Tel: 0191 246 7288

Review date 2028