Mental health trust to help patients stop smoking

An NHS mental health trust has received a grant of more than £45,000 in a bid to help patients stop smoking.

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust will use the money to offer practical support to about 1,200 inpatients over the next year across its adult and older adult wards.

The trust said this would include access to vapes as "a safer alternative to tobacco, helping patients to manage cravings during their stay and give them a realistic route into long-term quitting".

National evidence showed that people with mental health conditions were twice as likely to smoke, often becoming more dependent and experiencing worse long‑term health outcomes as a result, the trust said.

"Rates of smoking in the Black Country remain among the highest in the country," a spokesperson for the trust said.

"[About] 145,000 people smoke across the Black Country Integrated Care Board [ICB] area, a figure strongly linked to deprivation."

The trust has already strengthened its approach through the Government's Swap to Stop scheme, securing 2,000 vapes last year, and by working closely with local Stop Smoking Services to ensure patients continue to receive help after discharge.

By expanding access to vape products and consistent support, the trust said the funding would help to reduce smoking‑related harm, improve recovery outcomes and create a healthier environment for all patients, staff and visitors.

Stephen Adeniyi, the tobacco dependence treatment programme lead at the trust, said: "Securing this additional funding is a huge achievement for our organisation. It means we can support even more patients to begin their smoke‑free journey when they are admitted to our wards.

"Our aim is to help our Black Country communities to take steps in improving their health and wellbeing. This funding enables us to provide the tools they need to succeed."

He added: "We know smoking can negatively impact mental health, and for people already experiencing mental health difficulties, this can slow recovery and worsen overall health.

"That's why our smoke‑free initiative is so important. It allows us to offer practical help, alongside behavioural and medicine‑based support."

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