Support for stopping smoking
Stop smoking services staffed by expert advisers provide a range of proven methods to help you quit. They'll give you accurate information and advice, as well as professional support, during the first few months you stop smoking.
They also make it easy and affordable for you to get stop smoking treatments, such as:
- Bupropion (Zyban)
- nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches and gum
Breathe
Breathe Stop Smoking Service is a free Camden & Islington service. Residents can get support to stop smoking, including tips to stop by themselves, personalised help from a specialist advisor online or over the phone, and face-to-face support. The service is available in many locations across Islington.
There is a Google translate tab on their website. There is a lot of good information about the reasons to stop smoking and the dangers of shisha smoking, for example.
020 3633 2609 to contact Breathe
Smoking & COPD
Smoking is the main cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. At least 4 out of 5 people who develop the disease are, or have been, smokers. The lining of the airways becomes inflamed and permanently damaged by smoking. This damage cannot be reversed. Around 10-25% of smokers develop COPD.
In Camden and Islington, 9 out of 10 people diagnosed with COPD are smokers or former smokers.
What if I have tried and failed before?
It is very common to need several attempts to quit. It is best to see lapses as “stepping stones” on your way to becoming smoke-free.
Changes that you may see after quitting smoking
- After 20 minutes: Pulse rate returns to normal
- After 8 hours: Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood reduces by more than half and oxygen levels return to normal
- After 48 hours: Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. The lungs start to clear out mucus and other debris. There is no nicotine in the body. Your ability to taste and smell will improve.
- After 72 hours: Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
- After 2-12 weeks: Your circulation improves.
- After 3-9 months: Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%.
- After 1 year: Risk of heart disease is about half compared with a person who is still smoking.
- After 10 years: Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.
- After 15 years: Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.
Community Pharmacy
Local pharmacies offer support and advice. You can visit your local pharmacy for an initial consultation on how to quit smoking. A list of pharmacies that offer this support (correct as of August 2022) is as follows:
- Apex Pharmacy, 204 Essex Road, N1 3AP
- Apex Pharmacy, 199 Old Street, EC1V 9NP
- Apteka Chemist, 179 Seven Sisters Road, N4 3NS
- Arkle Pharmacy, 39 Junction Road, N19 5QU
- Atkins Chemist, 124 Holloway Road, N7 8JE
- C&H Pharmacy, 179 Blackstock Road, N5 2LL
- Caledonian Pharmacy, 486A Caledonian Road, N7 9RP
- Carters Chemist , 47 Roman Way, N7 8XF
- Chana Chemist, 70 Chapel Market, N1 9ER
- Chemitex Pharmacy, 332 Hornsey Road, N7 7HE
- Clan Pharmacy, 150 Upper Street, N1 1RA
- Clerkenwell Pharmacy, 51 Exmouth Market, EC1R 4QL
- Clockwork Pharmacy, 273 Caledonian Rd, N1 1EF
- Dermacia Pharmacy, 260 Upper Street, N1 2UQ
- Douglas Pharmacy, 34 Ritchie Street, N1 0DG
- Egerton Pharmacy, 147 Holloway Road, N7 8LX
- Essex Pharmacy, 41 Essex Road, N1 2SF
- Highbury Pharmacy, 14 Highbury Park, N5 2AB
- Hornsey Road Pharmacy, 84 Hornsey Road, N7 7NN
- J.C Wise Chemist, 518 Hornsey Road, N19 3QN
- Leoprim Pharmacy, 328 Essex Road, N1 3PB
- Mahesh Chemist, 111 Newington Green Road, N1 4QY
- New North Pharmacy, 297 New North Road, N1 7AA
- Nuchem Pharmaceuticals Ltd, 159 Stroud Green Road, N4 3PZ
- P Edward Chemist Ltd, 324 Caledonian Road, N1 1BB
- Portmans Pharmacy, Unit 5, Cherry Tree Walk, Whitecross Street, EC1Y 8NX
- Roger Davies Pharmacy, 41 Stroud Green Road, N4 3EF
- Rose Chemist, 243 Upper Street, N1 1RU
- Savemain Pharmacy, 166-168 Essex Road, N1 8LY
- St Peter's Pharmacy, 51 St. Peters Street, N1 8JR
- Superdrug Chapel Market, 54-55 Chapel Market, N1 9EW
- Superdrug Seven Sisters Rd, 5-9 Seven Sisters Road, N7 6AJ
- Turnbulls Chemist, 155 Essex Road, N1 2SN
- W C & K King Pharmacy, 35 Amwell Street, EC1R 1UR
- Bestway National Chemists Ltd ( Formerly Well), 11/13 Junction Road, N19 5QT
- Wellcare Medical /Anvi Ltd, 552 Holloway Road, N7 6JP
- York Pharmacy, 404 York Way, Islington, N7 9LR
