Homerton Healthcare is smoke-free

This means that smoking is not permitted anywhere on our sites or grounds. That includes all our hospital and buildings, as well as their grounds, doorways, and entrances. We also ask you not to smoke when our staff visit your home; whilst staff are in your home it is important their working conditions remains smoke-free. This makes sure we’re protecting you, other patients, visitors, and staff from the health harms of smoking.

Vaping or the use of e-cigarettes is only permitted two metres from entrances and windows.

Benefits to stopping smoking

Once you stop smoking your body starts getting the poisoned chemicals out of your body. After one month your breathing, heart rate, circulation, sense of taste and smell improves, you feel stronger and more energetic. Plus, the average smoker can also save over £156 a month or £1,875 a year by stopping smoking!

Nicotine is very addictive

The greatest harm from smoking comes from inhaling tobacco smoke and not from the nicotine itself. Nicotine is very addictive, but the risks are lesser in comparison. It can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, like caffeine in coffee. Common nicotine withdrawal symptoms include urge to smoke, irritability, low mood, anxiety, and insomnia.

Access free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products at Homerton Healthcare

NRT products are very effective and safe. They can help you to manage nicotine cravings without the toxic chemicals that you get in cigarettes and other tobacco products. NRT products can include skin patches, chewing gum, inhalator, and mouth spray.

Free and friendly support to treat tobacco dependence is available

As part of your NHS treatment, we will refer you to our Tobacco Dependence Treatment team. They will offer you expert support to help you manage nicotine withdrawals and share hints and tips on how to reduce or stop smoking. They will also talk through the various medication options available.

Our Tobacco Dependence Treatment team can also support pateints who want to quit or reduce vaping.