Mayo family resource centres and HSE buddy up to 'kick the habit'

HSE Community Healthcare West and family resource centres in Mayo have come together to provide a free stop smoking service.

HSE stop smoking advisors from the Quit Smoking West team in Health & Wellbeing will be available in eight family resource centres throughout Galway, Mayo and Roscommon to help the public be smoke free for Christmas.

For those who sign up, not only will your health and wellbeing improve, but you could also stand to save up to €1,600 between now and Christmas – an added reason to quit during this time of rising costs and financial pressures.

Free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is available to all smokers who sign up between now and the end of the year, while your stop smoking advisor will give you one-to-one support (via telephone, face-to-face in person or online). They will work with you to talk about habits and any concerns you have about stopping smoking or vaping, check your level of tobacco usage, help you find ways to deal with challenges, and provide the free stop smoking medications (NRT).

Evidence has shown that those who use this service, along with NRT, are four times more likely to quit smoking and stay quit.

Stop smoking advisors will be holding sessions at the following locations in Mayo: Ballina FRC (096-75573) with Vivienne Fitzmaurice; Tacu Family Resource Centre, Ballinrobe (094-9542908) with Pat Conway; Claremorris Family Resource Centre (094-9377838) with Alan Bracken; and Westport Family Resource Centre (098-24419) with Pat Conway.

In addition, stop smoking advisors also hold sessions in HSE primary care centres and health centres if they are more convenient for people to attend. Alternatively, you can avail of the service from your home or work location by choosing the telephone or online option. Whatever you choose, call (091) 737262 or email quitsmoking.west@hse.ie and take the first step on your quit journey today.