The Miswak, is an ancient oral health stick which originates from Egypt and is made up of branches and bark from the Arak tree1.

There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that the Miswak stick is sometimes used as an alternative to smoking as it mimics the hand to mouth action if you smoke2. Its soft fibres also act as a toothbrush to keep teeth and gums clean. However here in Manchester the dental promotion team always promote its use alongside a toothbrush for effective removal of plaque.

Photo: Abbie Paton, Acting Manager, Manchester Stop Smoking Service, Mohammed Raza, client who received NHS support to stop smoking & Aurangzaib, Specialist Stop Smoking Advisor – all showing Miswak and toothbrush for oral hygiene throughout Ramadan.

Manchester Stop Smoking Service has launched a knitting project on Gorton Market – Stop smoking and start knitting! The project was an inspiration of Chris Hayes, community stop smoking advisor who has joined a knitting group. Chris suggested that clients may like to take up knitting to help them quit smoking.

If you would like to ‘Stop Smoking and Start Knitting’ then go along to the group. They meet from 1.00 – 2.00pm every Tuesday at Gorton Market, Garratt Way, Gorton, Manchester M18 8LD. Wool and needles will be provided free of charge; beginners are welcome.

Manchester Stop Smoking Service invites you to one of their No Smoking Day events on Wednesday 10 March 2010.

There will be two events this year – one in the concourse of Wythenshawe Forum, Forum Centre, Wythenshawe, Manchester M22 5RX. Along with free support to stop smoking, there will be lots of activities including:

• Join in and sing with the Royal Northern College of Music Community Outreach from 12 noon – 1.00pm .
• Register your home smokefree and enter our free prize draw to win £250 worth of home vouchers.
  

Please click on the PDF below to download the Wythenshawe flyer for more information.

The second event will be held on Harpurhey Market in Church Lane, off Rochdale Road, Harpurhey, Manchester M9 4DH. There will be community stop smoking advisors on hand to help you if you are ready to break free and be smokefree. Come along and join in the activities and get up to date information on NHS services available to you and meet staff from partner agencies including:

• Northwards Housing.
• The Fire & Rescue Service.
• Lloyds Pharmacy – Health MOTs
• Zest.
  

Register your home smokefree and enter our free prize draw to win £250 worth of home vouchers.

Please click on the PDF below to download the Harpurhey flyer for more information

Both events will run from 10.00am – 2.00pm. Come along and break free – be smokefree!

For more information, free support to stop smoking, or to register your home smokefree, call Manchester Stop Smoking Service on 0161 205 5998

No Smoking Day Wythenshawe Flyer	Updated: 24/02/10	632KB
No Smoking Day Harpurhey Flyer	Updated: 24/02/10	651KB
Press Release	Updated: 09/03/10	220KB

The award was presented for Jenny’s work on communications in Manchester Stop Smoking Service. It marked the 10 Year Anniversary of Stop Smoking Services in region.

Jenny said:

“I am really honoured to receive the award, it is a real surprise. I’ve never smoked myself, but I really enjoy the challenge of using communications to raise awareness of the benefits of stopping smoking, to encourage people to quit smoking themselves and to protect children and young people from second hand smoke.”

Three Manchester NHS Stop Smoking champions who have helped save the lives of hundreds of smokers by encouraging them to quit have been commended at a North West awards ceremony.

Please click on the PDF below to read more

No Smoking Day Event 2009 Flyer

Updated: 11/02/10

224KB

You are invited to Manchester Stop Smoking Service’s Smokefree Homes Celebration event. It will be held on Wednesday 17 December at Grey Mare Lane Market, Beswick M11 3AZ, from 8.30am – 2.00pm. You will have the opportunity to register your home smokefree or ask about local support to quit smoking.

The Smokefree Homes campaign aims to protect children and young people from the harmful effects of breathing in other people’s cigarette smoke. Children not exposed to cigarette smoke are likely to be healthier, with less risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, asthma, coughing, wheezing & chest infections, behavioural problems, learning difficulties and middle ear infection.

Along with information about Smokefree Homes, there will be Christmas festivities, including a brass band playing Christmas carols, Santa giving gifts to children, refreshments, Christmas stocking fillers and a prize draw – all free of charge.

For more information or help to stop smoking call Manchester Stop Smoking Service on 0161 205 5998.

Smokefree Homes Event Poster

Updated: 12/12/08

684KB

ASH Wales and Cardiff University are working on a pilot of an interactive decision making website, QUITEX for smokers who are thinking about quitting.

QUITEX provides information and helps smokers choose between the different options that are available to help them quit. Smokers can also set up their own personalised quit smoking plan which they can use to seek further support from their local stop smoking service.

The university needs 400 people to use the trial website before they can proceed to the next phase of the research programme.

For more information visit: http://www.informedhealthchoice.com/quitex/