NHS Norfolk’s Stop Smoking Service has helped more people than ever before to stop smoking.

It helped 4457 smokers in Norfolk (excluding Great Yarmouth) in 2009/2010 according to the latest figures, compared to 4282 the year before and 4039 in 2007/08.

NHS Norfolk’s Stop Smoking Commissioning Manager, Jennie Pusey, said: “We are continuing to build on the success of the NHS Norfolk Stop Smoking Service and we are pleased to see it has helped nearly 4,500 people to a healthier lifestyle.

“We believe there are something like 117,000 smokers in the NHS Norfolk area and we know that if they stop smoking they will greatly reduce their risk of dying prematurely through cancer, heart disease or suffering from chronic breathing problems.”

People wanting help to quit can call the Stop Smoking Service on 0800 0854 113.

NHS Norfolk commissions services which aim to make finding support to give up smoking as accessible and flexible as possible. These include the Norfolk Stop Smoking Service, which is provided by Norfolk Community Health and Care (NCH&C), and offers patients professional support, tips and nicotine replacement therapy (such as gum or patches) to help them give up the habit.

People can also obtain information about the support on offer to help them stop smoking from their GP practice or can stop into their local pharmacy for advice.

NHS Norfolk has also recently commissioned the Keystone Development Trust to provide a stop smoking service for migrant workers in the Thetford area.

Thursday (July 1st) is the third anniversary of smoke free legislation coming into effect in England and Wales. The legislation outlawed smoking in pubs, clubs and all public buildings and has had a major effect on public health. Research has suggested the legislation has brought about 1200 fewer heart attacks across England in its first year alone. It saved the NHS an estimated £8.4 million and may have prevented almost 200 deaths.

The Tobacco Advisory Group of the Royal College of Physicians recently reported says that about 2 million children in the UK currently live in a household where they are exposed to cigarette smoke and many more are exposed outside the home. Children are particularly vulnerable to passive smoke exposure.

It reported tobacco smoke is responsible for:

– Over 20,000 cases of lower respiratory tract infection
– 120,000 cases of middle ear disease
– At least 22,000 new cases of wheeze and asthma
– 200 cases of bacterial meningitis
– 40 sudden infant deaths, one in five of all sudden infant deaths

Each year, these cases generate over 300,000 UK GP consultations and about 9,500 hospital admissions, and cost the NHS about £23.3 million.

NHS Norfolk’s Tobacco Control Manager Clive Slater said: “The success of the smoke free legislation in terms of compliance is clear cut and it has delivered remarkable results in terms of public health.

“It has brought excellent benefits for individuals who have been spared the risks of passive smoking at work and when they go into public buildings.”