A STOP smoking scheme piloted in Basingstoke is now being rolled out across Hampshire.

Quit4Life, Hampshire’s NHS stop smoking service, is offering innovative support to help smokers who are interested in vaping as a means to give up cigarettes, by helping them to access e-cigarettes effectively and safely.

By supporting vaping as a means to quitting tobacco, Quit4Life is offering a new voucher scheme in Hampshire, for those who choose to give up tobacco through switching to vaping.

Smokers who receive support from Quit4Life can exchange their £25 voucher for a vaping starter kit, when they are ready to give up cigarettes.

Julia Robson, clinical service manager of Quit4Life said: “Quit4Life is excited to be supporting Public Health England in their message to embrace quitting smoking through the use of electronic cigarettes. As shown in the Smokefree and Stoptober messages, e-cigarettes can be extremely effective as a means to giving up smoking, especially when combined with additional support from a stop smoking service, when you can increase your chances of a successful quit.

"This cost-effective and popular way to switch from smoking cigarettes has already helped many smokers in Hampshire to quit tobacco. Quit4Life aim to support as many people as possible who would like to improve both their health and wealth by quitting smoking, either with a vape or more traditional medication.”

For free NHS support to give up smoking, contact Quit4Life on 01252 335120, or visit www.quit4life.nhs.uk/vaping.