SMOKERS in Northumberland can now take advantage of a free scheme encouraging them to swap cigarettes for vapes.  

After signing up for a six-week programme of support, free vape starter kits will be offered to smokers. The scheme is available to current smokers who are over 18 and a Northumberland resident. 
  
Swap to Stop is part of a national programme to help people quit and is part of several measures to reduce smoking rates to five per cent or less by 2030.    

Up to two out of three lifelong smokers will die from smoking.

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Councillor Wendy Pattison, chair of the Northumberland Tobacco Control Partnership, said: “Quitting is one of the best things smokers can do for their health.  

“The Swap to Stop programme will offer smokers a free vape and lots of support in their quit attempt. They will be offered a choice of products, strengths and flavours to allow them to find the best product for them. 

“Research shows that vaping is an effective way of quitting smoking for good. Although vaping is not risk-free, it is a fraction of the risk of smoking and is proven to be popular and effective way to help smokers end their habit.”   

For more information, email stopsmokingservice@northumberland.gov.uk.