Quit smoking

NHS Kent and Medway is working with partners throughout the integrated care system to support people to quit smoking through two pathways in our main (acute) hospitals – an inpatient pathway and a midwife-led pathway.

The evidence of the harm caused by smoking is well established by research carried out over the past 70 years and more.

Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable deaths in England.

Smokers are also much more likely to have other health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and quitting smoking can improve their health immediately.

All four hospital trusts have signed up to the quit for you inpatient smoke free pathway and the quit for two maternity pathway.

The message is simple. Quitting smoking has health benefits for you (and your baby if you're pregnant) and help is at hand.

Quit for You

People being admitted to a hospital in Kent and Medway as an in-patient – planned or unplanned – will be supported to quit smoking.

Everyone being admitted will be assessed by a tobacco support worker and all offered nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) treatment and a programme of support to quit.

When they are ready to leave hospital, patients will be referred to a community advisor to carry on their smoke free journey.

Quit for two 

During their first midwife appointment, all pregnant people who smoke will be supported to quit smoking by a dedicated maternity support worker (MSW).  

Midwives and MSWs know during a pregnancy there is a lot of change and it’s an emotional time too.

They offer non-judgemental support from the very first appointment and will be there, every step of the way.