Assistance to Stop Smoking

The Council recognises that for some electronic cigarettes and/or vaping are used as one way to reduce or give up smoking cigarettes.  For those who are vaping as part of an attempt to reduce or stop smoking cigarettes there are also a number of support services that are able to offer help and advice for those wishing to stop:

• Live Well, Stay Well –offers free Stop Smoking Support programmes plus advice and information on pharmacological treatments such as free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or Champix on prescription. They also provide advice on how to handle withdrawal symptoms and can take carbon monoxide (CO) readings to measure carbon monoxide levels.

Website:https://www.healthandwellbeingbucks.org/how-can-i-quit-smoking

• NHS Stop Smoking Website

Provide advice and support and signposts to useful apps.

Website: Quit smoking - Better Heath - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

For employees wishing to stop smoking, the Council will support these individuals by exercising discretion around the flexi time scheme so that they can have up to 6 hours to attend any programme designed to help them to quit.  For monitoring purposes, employees may be asked to provide evidence of their attendance.