Amrik Sangha, a Health Improvement Officer with the City of Wolverhampton Council, with one of the vape kits that are available to people who want to Swap to Stop smoking

 Smokers in Wolverhampton are coming forward to take advantage of help and support as they look to ‘Swap to Stop’.

The Government aims for the country to become ‘smokefree’ by 2030, and is offering a million free ‘Swap to Stop’ vaping kits which, combined with behavioural support, are designed to help them quit smoking.

The City of Wolverhampton Council has made these available at a range of community venues, including the city’s 8 Family Hubs and Central and Warstones libraries.

The service is being delivered by trained members of staff who offer free vape starter kits alongside support and weekly ‘check-in’ sessions delivered from the convenience of local community venues to help people on their quitting journey over a period of 12 weeks.

Scores of would be quitters have already come forward to get help – and others are invited to sign up for free at Swap to Stop.

Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said: “Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health and the health of those around you.

“It is still the single largest preventable cause of death in England, accounting for around for 64,000 deaths annually. Almost every minute of every day someone is admitted to hospital with a smoking related disease – but, when you stop smoking, there are almost immediate improvements to your health.

“And it’s not just your body which will benefit, your purse or wallet will too. On average smokers spend around £40 per week on tobacco – and that means you could have around £2,000 more to spend a year by quitting, and even more if you are a really heavy smoker.

“Nicotine vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking and is also one of the most effective tools for quitting, so we are pleased to be delivering Swap to Stop support in Wolverhampton. If you want to quit, please sign up today.”