Home Politics Europe UK Stop Smoking Center cuts back on services to save money

UK Stop Smoking Center cuts back on services to save money

The Stop Smoking Service run by Bolton NHS Foundation Trust will be cutting back on smoking cessation support services for the general public, in a bid to save £46,000 for the local council.

Diane Caruana

October 30, 2017

Whilst other countries such as the US, are heavily regulating vaping products and putting them under the same sphere as tobacco products, the UK not only supports and suggests their use as part of a smoking cessation program, but some Stop Smoking Services even give away the devices for free in order to give smokers seeking support a good head start.

The Bolton Stop Smoking services will be reduced to supporting solely pregnant women.

However, things are set to change in certain localities. As of this month, the Bolton Stop Smoking services will be reduced to supporting solely pregnant women seeking to quit. These cuts have been prompted by the fact that the government’s Public Health sector must save £785,000 between 2017 and 2019.

“There has been a removal of all funding for smoking cessation,” said chief officer Jackie Bene, who pointed out that the utmost will be done, so as to ensure that the lack of funding will not impact those seeking smoking cessation support.

The health sector needs to save £785,000 in 2 years

“Increasing Government cuts have meant that we have had to change the way we deliver some health services. Public Health must make savings of £785,000 in 2017/19 and has therefore had to reduce or decommission some services.”Spokesperson for Bolton Council

A spokesperson for Bolton Council spoke about the required savings that prompted these cuts. “Increasing Government cuts have meant that we have had to change the way we deliver some health services. Public Health must make savings of £785,000 in 2017/19 and has therefore had to reduce or decommission some services.”

Read Further : The Bolton News