£400. That’s how much one man has saved so far – in just over a month – since giving up smoking cigarettes with the help of Ealing Smokefree Service.

The service which launched in July 2024 is commissioned by Ealing Council and run by Ealing Community Partners, supporting residents aged 18 and above, who are registered with a local GP.

Since then, 100 people have been helped to quit within 4 weeks; while another 203 people have been able to set ‘quit dates.’ to work towards.

To mark national No Smoking Day (Wednesday 12 March), we’re shining a light on some of the smokers the service has helped so far and sharing some top tips on how to give up once and for all.

‘They just need to find the courage to take the first step forward’

“I felt like a lion in a cage without a cigarette” said Costel Rachieru, a Romanian man who lives in Ealing.

He started smoking in the 1980s and, in recent years, had smoked a packet a day, maybe more.

“The reason I wanted to try to stop is because I had a heart attack, and it was getting too expensive. Since stopping, I’ve saved £400.”

Costel has been smoke free for 5 weeks so far, the longest he’s ever gone without smoking.

Under the guidance of Ealing Smokefree Service, he’s been using a combination of nicotine patches and vapes to quit cigarettes.

Data from the smokefree service shows that there are lots of eastern European men living in the borough who smoke.

Costel said: “What I would say to them is – ‘it’s a good quality service’. They just need to find the courage to take the first step forward. They might think it won’t help, but it’s only in their minds.”

Going ‘cold turkey’ only has 3 -5% success rate

For many like Costel, quitting isn’t easy, but the support from professionals can make all the difference.

Hani Khan is a tobacco dependence specialist employed by West London NHS Trust and working for the Ealing Smokefree Service.

He said: “The first couple of days is always the hardest, but it gets easier. We ask people to take it day by day.

“A craving doesn’t last forever, people don’t realise, but it’s usually only 5 to 30 minutes, that’s why we tell people to stay busy and find distractions.”

Hani also explained that smokers have a much better chance of quitting with the support of a tobacco dependency specialist.

He said if you go ‘cold turkey’ and try to stop on your own, there’s only a 3% to 5% chance of success.
Ealing Smokefree Service offers a free, 8-week support programme.

How the service works

• you will get weekly support sessions with a specialist who will help you build new habits and cope with cravings
• a range of nicotine replacement products are available to help manage withdrawal symptoms, including patches, lozenges, mouth spray, and inhalators
• tailored support to suit you! You can choose from face-to-face support, virtual or telephone support, pharmacy support, groups sessions and the swap-to-stop (Vape) scheme.
• Stop Smoking App for Londoners – Get 24/7 real-time support for 6 months and a 12-week supply of nicotine replacement or a vape kit

Hani said the use of nicotine replacement therapy is one of the best methods he’s seen to help people quit.

‘The battle is more mental than physical’

“You don’t have to do it alone,” he said. “It helps to have someone to talk to and catch up with each week to help you on your journey.”

Another smoker helped to quit (who preferred not to be named) said: “Having smoked heavily for more than 30 years, on and off, I was looking for support to help me stop and was getting nowhere. I thought giving up would be impossible.

“The greatest benefit I am getting from the service is the ability to talk to my NHS counsellor each week. It is really helping me having caring, capable and expert advice.

“The service has provided me with nicotine patches, starting with a higher strength to match the levels I was smoking, and then reducing over time. For me, these patches plus the ongoing advice are working very well and I am successfully re-entering my life as a non-smoker, which feels great.

“The battle is more mental than physical, and I am creating new, healthier habits and saying goodbye to all the negative aspects smoking cigarettes brought.

“I feel physically better, and the service is giving me the tools I need to keep building on the benefits.”

‘I know how hard it is to quit’

Councillor Polly Knewstub is the council’s cabinet member for healthy equal lives. She said: “As a former smoker I know just how hard it is to quit and, as has already been said, the challenge can often be more mental than physical.

“We’re fortunate to have a free, borough-wide service that supports people on their journey to quit and I’d encourage anyone who has been longing to quit to give it a try.

“Having someone to support you along the way can make all the difference.”

Join outreach events on No Smoking Day

The Ealing Smokefree Service will be running a number of outreach events, offering advice and support, on No Smoking Day.

The team will be at various sites across the borough from 10am to 2pm, including the Tesco superstore at Greenford, Morrison’s Acton and the Greenford bus garage.

Self-refer today

You can call Ealing Smokefree Service on 020 8354 8889, or email wlm-tr.hls@nhs.net. You can also refer yourself or someone you know by filling out the following form on the online webpage.

Take your first step towards a smokefree life today and join hundreds of others in the borough who are making a healthier choice.