Wirral’s Stop Smoking service has been recognised nationally as the top provider, out of a pool of 169 local services, according to latest figures from NHS digital.
The ranking is based on the numbers of people setting quit dates and the numbers of quits per 100,000 of the population in 2020/2021.
More than 9,800 locals per 100,000 smokers have set quit dates during this time, with 6,039 people per 100,000 smokers supported to successfully quit in the borough.
Cllr Yvonne Nolan, Chair of Wirral’s Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee, said, “This news couldn’t come at a better time, as we have recommissioned our Stop Smoking service this year to continue supporting Wirral people to kick the habit.
“The service, run by ABL Health, works in communities across the borough, so this support is being offered right on our doorsteps. I’d encourage anyone thinking about quitting get in touch with them.
“And as we enter ‘Stoptober’, I hope we can build on this momentum, with the great work of our Stop Smoking service, to encourage more and more people in Wirral to ditch smoking, for good.”
According to Public Health England, you are four times more likely to successfully quit with the right specialist support.
Since 2016 Wirral has seen an annual reduction in smoking from 18% to 10.7% of the population in 2020. Their mission now is to make Smoking History for Wirral’s children by 2027.
Elizabeth Woodworth, Head of ABL Health Wirral, the borough’s Stop Smoking service, said, “Even in tricky circumstances over the last 18 months, I’m so proud of the work that ABL has done in helping thousands of local people to quit smoking.
“The recommissioning of our service provides us with many exciting and innovative opportunities to carry on our work towards health improvement and supporting our 2027 mission.
“Recognising the importance of community assets, our approach has always been to focus on ‘what is strong’, rather than ‘wrong’, within Wirral communities – building connections and targeting our support where it will have a greater effect.
“The end goal is to support everyone across Wirral to live healthier and happier for longer – while being smokefree!”
Free, local support from health experts at ABL Wirral is available to anyone who wants to cut out cigarettes or wants help switching to or quitting e-cigs. You can call the service for support on 0151 541 5656 or visit www.ablhealth.co.uk 
You can also free text ‘ABL’ to 60777 for free advice and support.
Stoptober is a 28-day stop smoking challenge. For more information on how to get involved, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
Image: David Taljat
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