🎄The Stop Smoking Service Christmas Newsletter 🎄

Wishing You a Healthier, Happier Holiday Season!

This year, why not give yourself the greatest gift—improved health by quitting smoking? Let’s start a journey toward a smoke-free 2025!

🎁 The Gift of Good Health

Did you know that within just 20 minutes of quitting smoking, your heart rate and blood pressure begin to improve? By Christmas 2025, you could be celebrating a full year smoke-free, significantly lowering your risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and other illnesses. Give yourself and your loved ones the gift of a healthier, smoke-free future!

🕯️ 5 Festive Reasons to Quit Smoking This Holiday Season

1.Rediscover the Joy of Flavours: Smoking dulls your sense of taste and smell. By quitting, you can fully enjoy the flavours of holiday feasts and the scent of festive pine and spices.

2.Save for a Better New Year: On average, smokers spend thousands on cigarettes annually. Imagine using that money for a holiday, a new hobby, or gifts for your loved ones. If you are struggling financially, you can get advice with Debt here paying off debts advice page

3.Feel the Holiday Spirit: Smoking can make you feel tired and out of breath. Quitting will help you feel more energetic to celebrate with friends and family. There are lots of ways to fit activity round busy daily life for help and advice visit Live well get active your way.

4.Stress Less, Enjoy More: Contrary to popular belief, smoking actually increases anxiety over time. Break free from the cycle and enjoy a calmer holiday season. If you are struggling with your Mental Health, you can get advice and support 24/7 by calling The Samaritans Helpline.

5.Kickstart Your 2025 Resolution: Why wait until January 1st? Start now, and by the time New Year’s rolls around, you’ll already be on your way to a healthier lifestyle. You could try to Limit your alcohol – Drinking too much alcohol can increase triggers to smoke, lower your inhibitions and affect your decision making. Alcohol also makes you dehydrated which can make cravings stronger. You don’t have to be alcohol free but be responsible, drink plenty of water before, after and between alcoholic drinks to avoid dehydration. Try changing your usual tipple for something different. Evidence shows that smells of certain drinks that you drank regularly when you were a smoker can act as a trigger and create cravings to smoke.

If you are concerned about your alcohol use, or think you may have a problem with alcohol you can speak to  Path to Recovery or Addiction Recovery Community  who can offer advice and support.

🎄 Holiday Tips to Stay Smoke-Free

• Celebrate with New Traditions: Replace smoking breaks with a hot cup of herbal tea, a relaxing bath, or a mindful meditation session.
• Stay Active: Engage in festive activities like ice skating, walking through holiday markets, or decorating your home to keep your mind and body busy.
• Treat Yourself: Use the money you’re saving by not buying cigarettes to splurge on something you love—a cozy holiday sweater, a massage, or a festive meal out.
• Find Support: Call the Stop Smoking Service or check out our website to help you stay strong through holiday temptations. You will be 3 x more likely to quit with our support than going alone.

🛠️ Where to find us:                                                                                    

Stop smoking | Central Bedfordshire Council

Tel: 0800 013 0553

Our Services, please call to discuss behavioural support with our team of advisors alongside:

• Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): We have a range of products including nicotine patches, gum, nose/ mouth sprays, inhalators, or lozenges to ease cravings.

• Medication: Zyban, Cytisine and Varenicline now available!

• Vapes: A smoke reduction tool available for all smokers to become smoke free.
• Allen Carr: New for 2025! Allen Carr’s Easyway (ACE) – Smokefree Bedfordshire

All of our products are often FREE including postage and delivery! You may be charged a prescription fee if that normally applies… but with all the health benefits and money you will be saving from not smoking we think that’s a small price to pay!

Over the Holidays – At this busy time running out of Nicotine Replacement Medication, Varenicline, Zyban, Cytisine or E-cigarette liquid or battery can spell disaster. If you are using aids to help you quit and stay smoke free make sure you have enough to keep the cravings away. If you are receiving support from the Stop Smoking Service speak to your advisor or one of the team on 0800 013 0553 to get your medication for the Christmas holidays.

(Please leave at least 7 days to receive your prescription.)

🎅 Festive Recipe: Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Warm up with this guilt-free, festive drink that will keep your hands busy and your mind off smoking:

• Ingredients: 480ml oat milk, 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1/2 tsp peppermint extract.

• Instructions: Mix all ingredients in a pot over medium heat. Stir until smooth and warm. Garnish with a candy cane for a festive touch!

Be patient, it’s a journey – giving up any habit takes time, the associations you have built up between smoking and the activities in your day-to-day routine over the years must be changed, one by one. And the only way to do that is by simply living life, day in and day out, smoke-free. Making it through your first Christmas minus the cigarettes is a necessary part of the journey. It gets easier with time. Keep your focus and meet the challenges that come along with confidence. You can do this, and you’ll thank yourself when the Christmas holidays are behind you and you’re still smoke-free.

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for a Smoke-Free 2025!

Let’s make this the year you reclaim your health, happiness, and freedom.