SMOKING COSTS THE NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE ECONOMY £24 MILLION

Millions of pounds are being spent by the NHS each year as a result of people smoking.Figures from NHS Yorkshire and the Humber suggest that around £24 million is lost from the North Lincolnshire economy through smoking related health appointments and sick days and health officials in the region are encouraging residents to make this the year they kick the habit for good.

Last year, over 1,400 people signed up to North East Lincolnshire’s Stop Smoking service which offers advice and support to people who want to quit. There are a number of services available across the borough for those who want to quit smoking including the smoking buddies programme available at the Hope Street Clinic

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently the UK’s fifth biggest killer and it is caused through smoking.

The Hope Street Clinic runs a group to support people with COPD. The clinic has developed an in house smoking buddies programme, known as HOPE 2 quit for your lungs, to support COPD sufferers who want to quit smoking.