Redcar & Cleveland Is Becoming Smoke-Free Thanks To Agencies

Nov. 28, 2012 - PRLog -- Thanks to two creative agencies’ innovative anti-smoking website for the NHS people from across Teesside are becoming smoke-free.

Since launching only two months ago more than 350 people have pledged to quit and become smoke-free by using the Pack in the Fags website, which was created by full service agency Calm Digital and 2-0-2 Media on behalf of NHS Redcar and Cleveland.

The unique site supports smokers who would like to stop by directing them to a local NHS Stop Smoking Service and monitors their progress over a four week period.  

Once a smoker has pledged their quit attempt by registering on the website they are offered a wide range of support from local NHS Stop Smoking Services, including information, advice and nicotine replacement therapy.  The site offers quitters more than 50 venues where they are able to access support ranging from drop-in clinics, community venues, pharmacies and GP’s.

After four weeks of being smoke-free the local stop smoking service will then confirm this by asking the client to do a simple breath test which measures carbon monoxide - one of the poisonous chemicals found in cigarette smoke.  

Once the smoker has confirmed they have quit on the website they are entered into a competition to win an iPad and also given £40 to donate to the organisation which supported them.  More than 70 Teesside organisations and charities are registered on the site to support their service users to become smoke-free.

Rebecca Laidler, health improvement specialist, NHS Redcar and Cleveland, said: “Stopping smoking is probably the single best thing that an individual can do to improve the health of themselves and those around them.

“The website is one of the multifaceted tools which we are using to not only help support smokers to stop but also raise the profile of tobacco control.  The website is a new innovated idea and we were more than happy with the finished result.”

The site also contains other useful information including local events, news and campaigns including the latest one around illicit tobacco.

The agencies have also worked with the NHS to market the anti-smoking campaign in the community through thought-provoking online marketing, imagery and videography.

Danielle Bloom of Calm Digital, said: “We are delighted that initial results are indicating that people across Teesside are quitting smoking thanks to Pack in the Fags.  The website enables individuals to take control of their own addiction and quit with help from the smoking service.

“Evidence shows that smokers are more than four times more likely to stop smoking with help from a local NHS Stop Smoking Service, so by getting the message to a wider audience the number of quitters will continue to grow.

“The devastating effects of smoking are appalling - it is the single largest cause of preventable mortality in England and is estimated to cost the NHS more than 2.7 billion a year alone.  
Approximately 8.5 million people in England smoke and about half of all long-term smokers will die from smoking with half of those in middle age.”

For further information about Pack in the Fags visit http://packinthefags.com or email rc-pct.packinthefags@nhs.net.  Alternatively contact your local NHS Stop Smoking Service on 01287 284487.