Health and wellbeing
Break free from smoking in 2024 to see good things happen
Published on
As we bid farewell to 2023 and embrace the promise of a new year, Walsall residents are being encouraged to make 2024 the year to quit smoking and see good things happen by accessing free, funded local support.
It comes as a new stop smoking campaign is launched in Walsall to help residents ditch the harmful habit and work towards reducing smoking rates across the borough.
The My SmokeFree Life app and Be Well Walsall services, delivered by MoreLife and Maximus UK respectively and funded by Public Health Walsall offer free, comprehensive quit smoking programmes to anyone living, working or registered with a GP in Walsall.
My SmokeFree Life offers a 12-week programme, unlocked weekly, which features a personalised quit plan based on the individual’s needs and preferences. It also provides daily motivational content and tips to curb cravings while tracking progress.
Quitting smoking provides numerous health benefits to fitness, heart health improvement, fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and money saving benefits.
This stop smoking campaign aligns with Walsall Council's wider approach to tobacco control and the We are Walsall 2040 Borough Plan which aims to help residents to lead more active, fulfilling and independent lives and get timely support.
“ We know quitting smoking can be challenging. This is why we are offering a range of free local resources to help you achieve your smoke-free goals in 2024. The My SmokeFree App provides a wealth of personalised guidance, weekly content, tips, and support at your fingertips.
We also want you to know you are not alone. Our team at Be Well Walsall are also on hand to help you breathe easy, break free from smoking in 2024 and beyond. “
Residents can also access support from Be Well Walsall digitally, face-to-face or over the phone. This includes achievable goal setting, personalised one to one coaching and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) plans.
Visit the Be Well Walsall website by going to https://bww.maximusuk.co.uk/ call 01922 444044, email bewellwalsall@maximusuk.co.uk for stop smoking advice.
The My SmokeFree Life app is available to download for free from the App Store and Google Play or via www.mysmokefreelifewalsall.co.uk.
Ends
Notes to the editor
- The My SmokeFree Life App provides users benefits of having their carbon monoxide levels checked at a nearby clinic or at home using a specialised iCO monitor, which helps to further promote the health benefits of quitting smoking and keep users motivated.
- In December 2023, Walsall Council’s Cabinet approved the Tobacco Control Plan (2023-2027) for Walsall. The plan can be found on Walsall Council’s website and downloaded from CMIS.
- For more than 20 years, MoreLife has been offering lifestyle and health solutions. The My SmokeFree Life Walsall app is available for free download from the Google Play and Apple stores. Every user of My SmokeFree Life has access to a customised dashboard that allows everyone to track how much money they have saved and the total number of days smoke free, with rewards such as badges and certificates to be collected along the way.
- The digital service complements existing services in Walsall (as well as Be Well Walsall) that offer health and wellbeing support:
- Thrive Mobile Wellbeing Project: Get support for your wellbeing | Walsall Council
- Walsall Drug and Alcohol Services: The Beacon – Walsall – Drug & Alcohol Service (changegrowlive.org)
- Walsall Talking Therapies: Walsall Talking Therapies | Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
