Quit your way

Pregnancy is a great opportunity for change and stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your baby

Welcome to NHS GGC: Quit Your Way Pregnancy Service

Here you will find information to help you if you are thinking about stopping smoking or vaping, or if you want to help or encourage someone you know to stop smoking.

We are not here to tell you all the bad things about smoking as you already know what they are.

We are here to help, advise, encourage, motivate and support you at every step of your journey. We will tailor a unique programme for you and support you in that programme. And if you don’t succeed at first, we will not judge or criticise. We will help you to review what you have achieved and will continue to work with you until you succeed. There is also support available to help you and your family and friends too.

Many people can quit on their own, but evidence shows you are three times more likely to successfully quit and stay smoke-free by quitting with our help.

With your determination and commitment, and our encouragement and support, we are confident you can be smoke-free.

£220 Financial Incentives

Most smokers want to quit. They know it’s bad for their health and their baby. They know it is costing them greatly but cigarettes were designed to make quitting difficult. If there was something we could do to make it easier to stop smoking – shouldn’t we?

Financial incentives in pregnancy are one the most effective ways of helping women to quit and remain quit post-partum. Women receiving incentives are more than twice as likely to quit compared to those not receiving incentives.

Are you pregnant and want to stop smoking?

The Quit Your Way Pregnancy Service offers financial incentives in the form of e-vouchers that can be used at various supermarkets worth up to £220.

Earn your first £40 just by attending your telephone stop-smoking appointment and give your quit a go for seven days.

Please click the blue button below to download the incentives leaflet for more information.

Find out more about financial incentives for pregnant women (pdf)

What happens when a pregnant women smokes

The effects of smoking on your baby

When you smoke, your baby does too. Every cigarette contains 4,000 chemicals, which go into your lungs when you smoke. Once in your lungs, the nicotine, poisons and carbon monoxide cross the placenta to your baby. This affects baby and restricts the amount of oxygen the baby gets.

How Smoking harms your baby

Every time a pregnant mum smokes it affects her baby’s growth and development and causes her baby’s heart to beat harder.

Continuing to smoke during pregnancy increases the risk of:
• Miscarriage
• Stillbirth
• Low birthweight
• Premature birth
• Baby having a cleft lip/palate

Smoking when pregnant can also affect your child as they grow up. Babies and children whose mothers smoke during pregnancy are also at great risk of:
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Colic
• Infections in the airways
• Ear infections
• Asthma
• Conditions such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
• Psychological problems in childhood: disruptive behaviour and poor educational performance

Stopping smoking will help you and your baby immediately. When you stop smoking, it only takes 24 hours for the poisonous gas carbon monoxide to clear from your bloodstream. Your baby will quickly start getting more oxygen through the placenta and you will instantly start to reduce the risk of complications in your pregnancy and during baby’s birth.

Carbon Monoxide and your baby

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless and tasteless poisonous gas. You can’t see it or smell it, but it is in cigarette smoke. CO is also in faulty gas boilers, car exhaust fumes, burning coal, wood, oil.

If you are exposed to carbon monoxide: the CO replaces some of the oxygen going into your lungs and gets into your bloodstream. This prevents the red blood cells from carrying oxygen around your body and to your baby. It is dangerous because it deprives the baby of oxygen, slows the baby’s growth and development, and increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

CO Breath test: NHSGGC offer CO testing to all pregnant women at their first booking appointment and subsequent appointments to show how much of this gas you and your baby have been exposed to.

Carbon monoxide smoking and your baby leaflet (pdf)

Second hand smoke

Second hand smoke can affect you and your baby before and after their birth. More than 80% of second hand smoke is invisible and doesn’t smell.

Exposure to second hand smoke can increase the risk of:
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy (SUDI)

Babies whose parents smoke are also more likely to be admitted to hospital during the first year of life, as they are more likely to develop infections that can affect their breathing, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

If you smoke, you will find it harder to quit if someone living with you also smokes.

It doesn’t matter how careful others think they are about keeping smoke away from you. If someone smokes in your home, you and your baby still breath in the harmful poisons. Opening windows and doors or smoking in another room will not make it completely safe.

For more information on second hand smoke and making your home smoke-free, please phone 07796 937 679 or email: ggc.quityourway.pregnancy@nhs.scot

Keep your family safe from second hand smoke leaflet (pdf)

Keep your family safe from second hand smoke leaflet (pdf) in other community languages

E-cigarettes / Vaping

Current research about e-cigarette use in pregnancy shows that they are significantly less harmful to health than cigarettes. If using an e-cigarette (vaping) helps you stay smoke free, this is far safer for you and your baby than continuing to smoke.

E-cigarettes are regulated in the UK but they are not currently licensed as a stop smoking aid. If you choose to use an e-cigarette to help you to quit smoking tobacco it is important to ensure you buy one from a reputable retailer to minimise the risk of harm.

You can discuss the risk and benefits of e-cigarettes with Quit Your Way pregnancy services. They can also discuss the option of using nicotine replacement therapy, which is licensed and can be prescribed to support you with your quit attempt.

ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) – Use of electronic cigarettes before, during and after pregnancy: Leaflets and infographics

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

Many NRT products are licensed to use in pregnancy. NRT contains only nicotine and none of the damaging chemicals found in cigarettes, so it is a better option than continuing to smoke. It helps you by giving you the nicotine you would have had from a cigarette. The Quit Your Way Pregnancy Practitioner can arrange for you to have NRT during your pregnancy. This can be in the form of patches, gum, lozenges, mouth spray or an inhalator.

Inpatients: You can also access NRT during your stay in hospital, please ask your midwife if you are interested in this.

Staying Stopped after baby’s birth

Once your baby is here you may feel as though your reason for giving up smoking is over – but it isn’t! It’s still very important you stay stopped after pregnancy. Think of what you have achieved by stopping smoking during your pregnancy – you should feel so proud!

Remaining smoke-free will result in lots of health benefits for you and your baby. Think of the money you can save to spend on your baby, or on a treat for yourself.

NHS Inform – Calculate my savings

Research shows that children of smoking parents are more likely to try smoking and become regular smokers. If you don’t want your children to smoke, it’s best to set a smoke-free example.

If you would like to talk to a stop smoking practitioner, please phone: 07796 937 679 or email: ggc.quityourway.pregnancy@nhs.scot

Next Steps….

We know that stopping smoking is not an easy thing to do on your own but we are here to help. Quit Your Way services help thousands of people in Scotland stop smoking every year. Smoking is an addiction that for most smokers is hard to quit. We are confident that with our help you can quit, and with encouragement and support make your life and the lives of those around you smoke-free.

Next steps…
You’ve already made the first step by looking through this website. The next step is to contact us and have a chat with one of our advisers!
Phone: 07796 937 679
Email: ggc.quityourway.pregnancy@nhs.scot

Smoking burns your money… as well as your cigarettes

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Lothian have joined forces to launch our new campaign focusing on the harmful effects smoking has on people’s health and bank accounts.

As the cost of living continues to rise, many people may be finding it difficult to make ends meet. This joint awareness campaign between Scotland’s three largest health boards focuses on the benefits of quitting smoking to physical and mental health as well as money worries.

The aim is to direct people who smoke and their families to the free NHS stop smoking service: Quit Your Way. The service offers 12 weeks of support to anyone who smokes, including free nicotine replacement therapy, and specialist support to quit for pregnant women and those with mental health problems.

The campaign features NHS respiratory consultant, Dr John McCafferty, emphasising that although some may believe smoking is helping them cope through these difficult times, it actually has the opposite effect and makes them feel worse.

Campaign video featuring John McCafferty

To find out about the stop smoking services and to access the best support to quit in your area call the Quit Your Way helpline service on 0800 916 8858 between Monday – Friday from 9am until 5pm. You can also follow this link to NHS Inform where you will be able to search your nearest service and fill in a short form to be contacted by one of our advisors.

You can also visit your local Community Pharmacy for FREE stop smoking support.

Trade Winds Primary School Programme is an Interdisciplinary Resource Pack aimed at P5-P7 classes across Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board areas. The programme extends across all curricular areas and correlates with 44 Level 2 experiences and outcomes. Trade winds offers a holistic approach to tobacco education that goes beyond health and explores issues that are relevant to young people.

Trade Winds Resource Pack

Guidance for delivering the programme

The pack comprises of 7 themes:

Topic A – Setting the Scene
Topic B – History of Tobacco
Topic C – Health Effects of Smoking
Topic D – Secondhand Smoke
Topic E – Cost of Tobacco (Global and Local)
Topic F – Influences on Smoking
(Media and Peer Pressure)
Topic G – Extending Children’s Learning through the Arts

It is recommended that delivery starts with ‘Topic A – Setting the Scene’ as this introduces learning on tobacco and gathers children’s knowledge on the topic. Teachers may then wish to explore a particular topic based on pupils’ interests or to select lessons from each topic. Further support and information, as well as resources to support the delivery of the lessons are available by e-mailing quityourway.smokefreeschools@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Tobacco free Schools Resource Pack

Ash Scotland’s Tobacco-free Secondary Schools Resource Pack, is for teachers and other professionals working with young people in secondary schools.
It’s designed to:

Support you to deliver high quality education on tobacco issues and help equip young people to make confident and responsible decisions on smoking, vaping and their health and wellbeing.
Provide you with all the facts, materials and resources you need to feel confident to deliver effective tobacco prevention education.
Enhance the skills that young people develop by engaging in activities that are designed to inspire confidence, self-esteem, resilience and decision making skills. These skills are transferable to many other issues including substance misuse, alcohol, sexual health and navigating transitions.

Accessing the pack

The tobacco-free schools pack, additional resources, tools and templates are all available on Ash Scotland’s Website Resources for Schools – ASH Scotland

There are many different factors which lead young people to smoke, but the extent to which tobacco is prominent, normal or accepted around them plays a crucial part.

Quit Your Way Youth and school resources aim to provide young people with information about smoking and tobacco to allow them to make informed decisions. The resources provide young people with easy access to the facts about smoking and information on how to access local support to stop smoking.

Quit Your Way Youth Resources covers the following:

Stop Smoking Support for young people
Prevention and Education: resources and support for schools and youth organisations
Policy guidance for schools and youth organisations
Protecting families and communities from second hand smoke
Research and partnership working in tobacco prevention and control

Our Youth and Schools Resources:

Jenny and the bear

Trade Winds Primary School Programme

Tobacco free Schools Guidance

Greater Glasgow and Clyde has produced a briefing paper to highlight the key evidence, concerns and advice around vaping, which will benefit parents, carers and any staff who work with young people. You can download our briefing paper and a condensed version of the briefing paper below:

Young people and vaping briefing paper

Young people and vaping briefing paper condensed version

If you are thinking of stopping vaping, our stop vaping tips for young people leaflet can help you to get started.

Stop vaping – tips for young people (pdf)

The Jenny and the Bear resource is a story which is part of a coordinated programme and aims to increase awareness about the effects of second hand smoke on children and what parents/carers can do to ensure their children are not exposed to its harmful effects.

The programme is aimed at Primary 1 classes and consists of a story being read to the class followed by a classroom activity to agree a name for the bear in the story, which is then entered into the competition to win a Teddy Bear mascot for their classroom. All children who take part in the programme will be given a booklet version of the story to take home.

The second hand smoke message also links with the Scottish Government national “Take it right outside” campaign. See www.rightoutside.org for further information.

Programme Registration

.Registration for the 2024/2025 programme is now open.

Please enter your class details by completing our online registration form.

The deadline for registration is Friday 29th November 2024.

What’s next?

Classes who submit a registration form will be sent out a competition pack in January containing:

A link to the Jenny and the Bear video
Individual Jenny and the Bear booklets for pupils to take home

You will also be provided with a competition form for our ‘Name the teddy’ competition. Alternatively, you can enter the competition below.

Name the Teddy Competition Form

Additional Resources

We have some fun Jenny & the bear activities for primary 1 children to take part in below.

Jenny & the Bear video

Public Heath Scotland have produced a leaflet outlining the facts about e-cigarettes:

E-cigarettes – The Facts

E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are battery-powered devices that simulate the sensation of smoking. They generally consist of a mouthpiece, battery and cartridge. These devices heat a liquid to generate an aerosol, or a ‘vapour’, which you then inhale. The liquids typically contain nicotine and flavouring chemicals. Because the liquid is heated and not burned and contains no tobacco, the nicotine is delivered without many of the thousands of chemicals which cause the significant harm and damage to the body.

Types of e-cigarettes

Cig-a-like’ products: Early models (First Generation) of e-cigarettes look like cigarettes in shape and size and sometimes referred to as ‘cigalikes’. They include both non-rechargeable disposable models and reusable models. Not many people use these types of products now.

‘Tank’ models or vape pens: An e-cigarette with a rechargeable atomiser – the part that vaporises the e-liquid) – and a tank which needs to be filled with an e-liquid.

Pod systems: These are small rechargeable devices, often shaped like a USB stick or a pebble and use e-liquid capsules. They are simple to use and to maintain.

‘Mods’, or advanced personal vaporisers: A more complex tank model which can be manually customised, for example by adjusting the power on the device.

Single use or disposable vapes are often shaped like pods and come pre-filled with e-liquid.

Are e-cigarettes safe?

E-cigarettes have been available for purchase for over 15 years in Scotland. They have become increasingly popular.

E-cigarettes are not risk free but for adult smokers, current evidence suggests vapes are less harmful than smoking tobacco products. Thus, it may be preferable if adult smokers used them instead of tobacco. Using both e-cigarettes and smoking is not recommended, as it does not reduce the harm from smoking tobacco. Ultimately, however we want people not to smoke or vape.

Key point to remember about e-cigarettes:

For adults who wish to quit smoking vaping is an option, although not harmless, current evidence suggests it is less harmful than smoking tobacco.

Young people and people who have never smoked should avoid vaping completely.

If you vape it is important that you do not modify your devices or products or use illegal substances in devices.

There is emerging evidence that vapes may create a new way in to smoking for young people.

There is no evidence that passive vaping carries health risks to by-standers.

Can I get e-cigarettes through the NHS?

No, these are currently not available through the NHS. However, our specialist stop smoking services can offer behavioural support to smokers who want to quit smoking using a vape, via our Quit Your Way Services.

Products like Nicotine Replacement Therapy (e.g. patches, gum, lozenges etc.) and Varenicline are available from the NHS to help people to stop smoking.

Although we cannot supply e-cigarettes, we understand that many smokers are using them to cut down or stop smoking altogether. We want to help those who are using e-cigarettes to stop smoking and would benefit from the additional support our services can offer.

Click here to find your local service

Safety Advice

Store nicotine solution away from children and pets, as you would with any medicine
It is safe to use an e-cigarette with NRT. If you feel sick or dizzy, stop using the e-cigarette / use less frequently / move to an e-liquid with lower level of nicotine
Ensure you thoroughly wash hands if handling e-liquids
Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer carefully
Heed any warnings supplied with the product
Ensure that e-cigarettes are not left charging for long periods of time
Do not leave e-cigarettes plugged in overnight or whilst out of the house
Look out for the CE mark that indicates chargers comply with European Safety Standards.

Vaping risks and resouces toolkit

A ban on the sale of disposable vapes came into force in Scotland on 1 June 2025.

In light of this, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has created a suite of new resources which provide information on the risks associated with vaping and give guidance to young people and adults looking to cut-down or quit.

Access our Vaping Risks and Resources toolkit for a summary of these resources and links to download, print or order larger print runs of materials through our Public Health Resource Directory.

Vaping Risks and Resources Toolkit (pdf)

Alternatively, continue to scroll down and read about them here.

Stop vaping tips for adults

If you are thinking of stopping vaping, our stop vaping tips for adults leaflet can help you to get started.

Stop vaping – tips for adults (pdf)

Young People and e-cigarettes

There has been a rise in the number of young people trying e-cigarettes, despite the fact that they have never previously smoked cigarettes. Greater Glasgow and Clyde has produced a briefing paper to highlight the key evidence, concerns and advice around vaping, which will benefit parents, carers and any staff who work with young people. You can download our briefing paper and a condensed version of the briefing paper below:

Young People And Vaping Briefing Paper

Young People And Vaping Briefing Paper Condensed Version

If you are thinking of stopping vaping, our stop vaping tips for young people leaflet can help you to get started.

Stop vaping – tips for young people (pdf)

This video below is a helpful introduction to discussing the topic of vaping with young people.

Filmed at the City of Glasgow College, it follows a young person explaining what a vape is, what nicotine does to the brain and how vapes can be a drain on a young person’s health, development and finances.

Use of e-cigarettes on NHS grounds

The use of e-cigarettes is now permitted on our NHS grounds in a bid to further cut smoking rates. However, they cannot be used in buildings or at entrances and exits to hospitals and other health facilities. Please do not dispose of used e-cigarettes or cartridges in general waste bins.

Smoking is not permitted, inside or outside, on any NHS Hospital site or grounds.

Quit Your Way- Stop Smoking Support

Quit Your Way stop smoking services offer free information, advice and support, including nicotine replacement therapy, to those who want to stop smoking.

To find out more about what our services can offer call the Quit Your Way service on 0800 916 8858 or Click to Quit: Find a Stop Smoking Service in your area via Scotland’s Service Directory on NHS Inform:

Click to Quit: Find a stop smoking service in your area

Services we offer

Quit Your Way Community Service

The Quit Your Way Community Service offers free stop-smoking support throughout Greater Glasgow & Clyde. Our team of trained advisors are friendly, knowledgeable and dedicated to supporting you through your quit journey.

The most effective way to quit smoking is with support and the use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products; whether it is your first attempt or you have tried before, we are here to make your quitting journey as successful as possible.
To find out more about personalised appointments for face-to-face, telephone or online support, call our team on 0800 916 8858 to get started.

Quit Your Way Hospital Service

Please note that our Hospitals (including the grounds) are smoke-free sites.

Planned admissions

Stopping smoking before a hospital procedure (such as an operation) greatly reduces the risks of complications and aids recovery. If you would like to stop smoking ahead of a planned admission you can use the postcode search on Scotland’s Service Directory to find our local stop smoking services near you.

Urgent Admissions

If you are unexpectedly admitted to hospital, we understand that many people who smoke may feel uncomfortable in a non-smoking environment. If you smoke, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products are available to keep you comfortable from withdrawal symptoms, please discuss this with ward staff.

You can also request a referral to the hospital stop smoking service upon arrival or at any point during your stay. An advisor from the stop smoking service will provide support and advice throughout your quit attempt and arrange NRT if needed. You will leave with a supply of products and information on continuing them through your local pharmacy.

You can contact the QYW hospital service by phoning 0141 451 6112 or by emailing Quityourway.hospitalservice @ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Quit Your Way Pharmacy Service

All community pharmacies in Greater Glasgow and Clyde offer free one-to-one support to help you to stop smoking. You can arrange to drop in on a day and a time that suits you.

The pharmacist will explain the medications available to help you quit smoking such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) patches or gum. They will advise on the pros and cons of each to help you decide which option is the best for you. The pharmacists can then arrange for you to get free NRT, if the products are suitable for you to use.

Quit Your Way Pregnancy Service

Smoking and Pregnancy

Quit Your Way Prison Services

In November 2018, all prisons in Scotland became smoke-free environments with smoking and tobacco products not permitted by law. This was in response to local and national concerns about the air quality and exposure to second-hand smoke for people living and working in the prison environment.

There are two Quit Your Way services delivered in the prisons in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. Symptomatic relief and smoking cessation support for smokers who meet a specific criteria when they are admitted into prison and behavioural support with Nicotine Replacement Therapy for people wishing to become nicotine free while in prison. Anyone can self-refer using the NHS Health Improvement self-referral form or by others involved in their care.

For further information contact Claire Murphy at: ggc.prisonhealthimprovement@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Quit Your Way Mental Health Service

Studies show that quitting smoking improves mental and physical health. The Quit Your Way Mental Health Service offers free stop smoking services throughout Greater Glasgow & Clyde, providing support from our trained advisors. We offer advice and support to quit smoking and provide Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help manage withdrawal cravings whilst in our smoke free hospitals

NHSGGC Mental Health In-patient staff can find out more about our service by accessing a short QYWMHS video briefing below.

Patients are referred to the service by NHSGGC staff or can refer themselves, as can staff.

You can contact the Quit Your Way Mental Health Service by phoning 0141 211 6564 or emailing quityourway.mentalhealth@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Quit Your Way Youth and Schools Resources

Smoking causes nicotine addiction and people who start smoking at an early age find it more difficult to quit. Two-thirds of adult smokers in the UK say that they started smoking regularly before the age of 18, while two out of five say they started before the age of 16.

We provide a confidential and youth friendly service to young people who wish to stop smoking. This includes tailored support through telephone or virtual support sessions and access to nicotine replacement products.

Quit Your Way Youth Hub

Additional resources

E-Cigarettes