FAQs
Answering some of the questions we get asked most.
I want to quit vaping. Can I join Smokefree Island?
Yes, we currently offer support to those wishing to quit vaping or any other form of nicotine product e.g. nicotine pouches (Snus).
Is Smokefree Island for me if I have a mental health condition?
Yes, we can offer specialist support if you have a mental health condition. Get in touch and we’ll help find the right support for you.
Can I use Champix to quit smoking?
Currently Champix the brand is unavailable, however, the medication used in Champix, Varenicline is available along with lots of other stop smoking aids, such as nicotine replacement therapy and medications. Your stop smoking mentor will work with you to find the most suitable stop smoking aid for you.
Can I have weekend/evening appointments?
Yes, we offer sessions daytimes, evenings and weekends.
What if I don’t like the stop smoking products (or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)) I’m given?
Your stop smoking mentor will monitor how you’re getting on with the products and they can be adjusted in quantity or swapped for another product at any point while you’re with Smokefree Island.
How long does it take to quit?
Your stop smoking mentor will work with you to set a quit date, ideally within 2 weeks of your first appointment. The Smokefree Island programme runs for 12 weeks, but by 12 weeks you should be well into your life as a non-smoker.
I am in my 70’s, surely there’s no point in stopping now?
Stopping smoking at any age will bring you health benefits, plus additional perks like improving your finances. It’s never too late to quit!
What if I’m not a heavy smoker?
Even smoking as few as 5 or less cigarettes a day can still cause almost as much damage to your lungs as smoking 40 a day! Quit today to start improving your health for now and the future.
Can I use an e-cigarette or vape?
E-cigarettes are 95% less harmful than smoking. We can supply them, or another stop smoking product that’s right for you, to support your quit attempt, alongside help to change your habits.
My mate’s mum stopped smoking but still died within a few months, what’s the point?
Smoking can mask a lot of health problems due to lack of oxygen in the bloodstream. Problems come to light when you stop but this means that they can be treated more quickly once diagnosed.
Aren’t nicotine replacement products as addictive as smoking?
Most people who use stop smoking products, like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), do not become dependent on them as most people don’t use them for long enough. Those who do use them long term will find that they are still considerably less harmful than smoking.
Can I use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) while pregnant?
Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) During Pregnancy
If you’re pregnant and finding it difficult to quit smoking on your own, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be a helpful option. Unlike cigarettes, NRT products contain nicotine but none of the harmful toxins found in tobacco smoke, making them a safer alternative for both you and your baby.
Prescription stop smoking tablets like varenicline or bupropion (Zyban) are not considered safe to use during pregnancy and should be avoided.
NRT works by supplying a controlled dose of nicotine to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings, reducing the urge to smoke while you focus on quitting for good.
What is the carbon monoxide that comes from my cigarettes?
Carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas, is produced when tobacco burns in a cigarette. It’s a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream. Carbon monoxide in the bloodstream binds to hemoglobin, which is responsible for carrying oxygen, and prevents oxygen from being delivered to the body’s tissues and organs.
