Publish date: 24 July 2024
Ealing Community Partners (ECP) has launched a brand-new smokefree service to help residents to quit smoking once and for all.
The new service was launched at a special event at Perceval House in Ealing on Thursday, 18 July.
Named the ‘Ealing Smokefree Service’, the service aims to support residents aged 18 and above who smoke cigarettes and are registered with a local GP.
Eman Mohamed, a service user, has completed three sessions with the Ealing Smokefree Service. She said: “I was smoking two packs a day, that’s 30 to 40 cigarettes. I was worried about developing future health conditions and decided I was smoking too much.
“I have young children and I was worried about their future too, and seeing me and thinking it’s ok to smoke.
“I contacted my GP and they put me in touch with the service. I started Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and am two weeks smokefree. I feel much more active and have been saving around £40 a day. I’m going to put aside the money I was spending for a holiday with my family.”
Picture: Eman Mohamed with one of ECP’s tobacco dependency specialists
The event was opened by Councillor Polly Knewstub, the local cabinet member for Healthier Lives.
She said: “I confess to being an ex-smoker. When you’re a smoker, you feel rubbish. It took me a very long time to stop and I still have nightmares where I’m smoking a cigarette. Anything we can do to support people through that is important.”
She then passed over to Dr Claire Dillon, Director of Integrated Care Services at West London NHS Trust.
Dr Dillon explained how the former Ealing Specialist Smokefree Service for Pregnant People and Mental Health has transformed into the new service open to all residents who smoke. The new service aligns with one of the primary objectives of the local NHS trust – addressing health inequalities.
Smoking prevalence in Ealing is currently 15.9%, which is higher than the averages across England (12.7%) and London (11.7%).
This is a considerable jump from 10.3% in 2021, with rates higher among routine and manual workers (27.4%) and adults with serious mental health illness (36.6%).
The launch of the new service supports the Government’s aim for a smokefree generation by 2030.
Picture: The event was well attended by community groups including Heartlink
Katerina Manginas, the manager of the new service, said: “We are thrilled to introduce our new smokefree service in Ealing borough, dedicated to empowering our community to lead healthier lives. By addressing and reducing the health inequalities caused by smoking, we are committed to fostering a brighter, healthier future for everyone.”
Picture: Representatives from the Ealing Smokefree Service
The new smokefree service will be offering an 8-week treatment programme, including behavioural support aimed at reducing tobacco dependency.
As part of the new service, Ealing Community Partners will be working with local pharmacies, which will be prescribing nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and providing behavioural support for those who need it.
Mamta Sheth of Northfields Pharmacy said: “We’re very happy to be supporting the new service. Pharmacies are good places for people to walk in. We will be helping not only by prescribing but also by providing behavioural support. We have offered this in the past and it was very successful, so we’re looking forward to offering it again to the community.”
You can find out more information about the Ealing Smokefree Service, including which pharmacies are supporting the service, by visiting Ealing Smokefree Service or calling 0208 354 8889.