The Treating Tobacco Dependency programme, supported by Public Health Dorset, can help people to quit and therefore reduce their risk of developing smoking related illnesses.

The programme offers one-to-one behavioural support and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy in hospitals and maternity services.

Heidi Croucher, Dorset’s Treating Tobacco Dependency programme manager said:

“If you are pregnant and a smoker, you should talk to your midwife to see what support you can get to stop smoking.”

Another team helping people to quit smoking is the Tobacco Addiction Team, who work at Dorset County Hospital (DCH) with any inpatients admitted to the hospital who are smokers.

Accounting for around 74,600 deaths a year in England, smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and reduces quality of life and life expectancy.