Publish date: 12 March 2025
This No Smoking Day (Wednesday 12 March 2025), we’re spotlighting our Ealing Smokefree Service, which helps Ealing residents aged 18 and above quit smoking. The service was launched in July 2024 by Ealing Community Partners, since then, 100 people have been helped to quit smoking within 4 weeks; while another 203 people have been able to set quit dates to work towards.
Ealing residents share their Smokefree journey
Meet Costel Rachieru, a Romanian man who lives in Ealing. He said "I felt like a lion in a cage without a cigarette."
Costel started smoking in the 1980s and, in recent years, had smoked a packet a day, maybe more.
"The reason I wanted to try to stop is because I had a heart attack, and it was getting too expensive. Since stopping, I've saved £400."
Costel has been smoke free for 5 weeks so far, the longest he's ever gone without smoking.
Under the guidance of Ealing Smokefree Service, he's been using a combination of nicotine patches and vapes to quit cigarettes.
Data from the Smokefree service shows that there are lots of eastern European men living in the borough who smoke.
Costel said: "What I would say to them is – ‘it's a good quality service’. They just need to find the courage to take the first step forward. They might think it won't help, but it's only in their minds."
Meet Ahmed Abdulai, who recently quit smoking after a stroke. In a Q&A session he shared how we took the difficult first steps to improve his health.
What motivated you to take that first step to quit smoking?
I honestly never thought I could ever attempt to give up smoking, even after yet another appointment with my surgeon. Later that night, I thought about the need to improve my health after a stroke. I thought about my son and daughter should anything happen to me and the encouraging words of the Health Improvement Practitioner for Smokefree. These all played in my mind and the next day I stopped smoking and never did again.
What were the early challenges faced and how did you overcome them?
The challenges I faced include going through my daily routine, dealing with sudden changes in schedule, mood swings, dealing with being by myself and work pressure. I overcame them by using imagination, breathing techniques, changing hobbies, getting involved in new ideas and listening to music.
What advice would you give to someone who thinks quitting smoking is impossible?
If you don’t already, get into the habit of communicating with yourself. Think about someone or something that means a lot to you and aim to stop smoking for them or it.
Free Stop Smoking support in Ealing
The Trust's Smokefree Team offer a free 8-week support programme to help you break free from tobacco. Research shows that the best way to quit is with a combination of expert support and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
Hani Khan, Tobacco Dependence Specialist, Ealing Smokefree Service said: "The first couple of days are always the hardest, but it gets easier. We ask people to take it day by day.
"A craving doesn’t last forever, people don't realise, but it’s usually only 5 to 30 minutes, that's why we tell people to stay busy and find distractions."
Hani also explained that smokers have a much better chance of quitting with the support of a tobacco dependency specialist.
He said: "If you go ‘cold turkey’ and try to stop on your own, there's only a 3% to 5% chance of success.
"The use of nicotine replacement therapy is one of the best methods he's seen to help people quit."
Councillor Polly Knewstub - ‘I know how hard it is to quit’
Councillor Polly Knewstub is Ealing Council’s cabinet member for healthy equal lives. She said: "As a former smoker I know just how hard it is to quit and, as has already been said, the challenge can often be more mental than physical.
"We're fortunate to have a free, borough-wide service that supports people on their journey to quit and I'd encourage anyone who has been longing to quit to give it a try.
"Having someone to support you along the way can make all the difference."
How the service works
- You will get weekly support sessions with a specialist who will help you build new habits and cope with cravings.
- A range of nicotine replacement products are available to help manage withdrawal symptoms, including patches, lozenges, mouth spray, and inhalators.
- Tailored support to suit you, you can choose from
- Face-to-face support – Clinics are available across Ealing in Acton, Greenford, Perivale, and Southall
- Virtual or telephone support – If you prefer remote help
- Pharmacy support – Many pharmacies in Ealing offer stop-smoking support and NRT
- Group sessions – Get motivated by quitting alongside others
- Swap to stop (vape) scheme – Receive a free vape starter kit and 4 weeks’ worth of e-liquid as an alternative to smoking
- Stop Smoking App for Londoners – Get 24/7 real-time support for 6 months and a 12-week supply of nicotine replacement or a vape kit
If you’re an Ealing resident or registered with a GP in Ealing, and a smoker but want to quit, the team are here to help.
Upcoming events
This No Smoking Day (Wednesday 12 March), Ealing Smokefree Service will be running a number of outreach events in the local community, offering advice and support. The team will be at various sites across the borough from 10am to 2pm, including the Tesco superstore in Perivale, Morrison’s Acton and the Greenford bus garage.
Visit the team for free quit-smoking advice!
Get in touch
You can call Ealing Smokefree Service on 020 8354 8889, or email wlm-tr.hls@nhs.net. You can also refer yourself or someone you know by filling out the Ealing Smokefree Service Referral Form.
Take your first step towards a smokefree life and join hundreds of others in the borough who are making a healthier choice.