Quitting with Herefordshire Stub Buddies

by Sally Watkin
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This is your big chance to give up for good... but don't go it alone: quit in company with a Stub Buddy.

What is a Stub Buddy?

Stub Buddies are trained stop smoking experts. These could include your GP, pharmacist or other NHS-trained stop-smoking staff in your doctor's surgery, local chemist or clinic. You can also find Stub Buddies at some local Halo leisure centres. You'll find a list of registered Herefordshire Stub Buddies here.

If at first you don’t succeed...

Tried to quit before? There's every chance you'll succeed this time, because if you seek support from Herefordshire's free local stop smoking services and use a stop smoking medicine you're four times more likely to stub out the habit than by going it alone.

Who will you choose?

If you'd like your Stub Buddy to be a trained professional, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist or an exercise instructor at your local Halo leisure centre. You could also team up with a friend, colleague or family member: the choice is yours. To give yourself the very best chance of success, why not seek expert help with a friend? Call 01432 383567 if you'd like a Stub Buddy to work with a group, or if you'd like to join a group at a clinic.

Herefordshire's Stub Buddies are here to help...

Do it at the health centre

Your GP will tell you about stop smoking medicines (such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and prescription medicine) and explain what help is available.

Do it at the chemist's

Your local pharmacist has all the latest stop smoking products to keep you on the right track.

Team up to boost your chances of success

NHS research shows that groups are far more likely to succeed in quitting than people who try to go it alone. So why not...

Do it in the gym

Exercise instructors at your local Halo leisure centre will be on hand to help you quit: it’s difficult to smoke when you're doing sit-ups. Work out at one of the six sporting venues run by this Herefordshire charity and you can register for help from one of their NHS-trained in-house Stub Buddies.

Do it with your best friend

Friends, family members or neighbours. Quit with someone who knows you well and you can support each other.

Do it at work

Band together with a group of like-minded workmates and Herefordshire stop smoking services will provide a Stub Buddy to run support sessions at your workplace.


Five steps to stopping

  1. Choose your stub buddy
  2. Commit to quit – write the date in your diary and sign up on this website.
    Why not choose 10th March to quit: it's National No Smoking Day!
  3. Seek expert help. Contact your GP, pharmacist, midwife, health trainer, health visitor or Halo leisure centre exercise instructor. During the first support session, you’ll be given a carbon monoxide (CO) breath test to see how much poisonous gas your bloodstream contains. You’ll also be able to choose an NRT product or prescription medicine that suits your lifestyle. Plus, you’ll be invited to further weekly support sessions.
  4. Be stubb-orn. Stay focused, attend meetings and use all the available resources (NRT products or prescription medicine, one-to-one or group support, emails, texts, phone calls and motivational internet downloads). For more information, visit the NHS Smokefree website, Herefordshire's stop smoking services or call 01432 383567.
  5. Celebrate and claim your prize! Four weeks after stopping, take the carbon monoxide breath test to confirm you’ve quit and claim your HEALTHY LIVING REWARD, WORTH £15: you can choose your own prize from a selection ranging from a bespoke Herefordshire food hamper to a Halo leisure centre Spa voucher or National Trust gift voucher.


Free prize draw!

Everyone who quits can enter for a free prize draw to win one of nine exciting prizes including a six-month membership to your local Halo leisure centre and a year’s family membership to the National Trust.

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