Now that the nationwide ban on disposable vapes has been in effect since 1st June, Kenvue*, the makers of NICORETTE®†, has announced a new regional “Stopping Starts Here” pilot in ten Boots stores across Manchester. Starting this June, additional training has been rolled out to pharmacists and pharmacy team members to offer advice and quit support. The pilot aims to give local smokers and vapers free, face-to-face support from Boots.
The initiative helps address an important quitting moment as new research** reveals that 58% of vapers in Manchester plan to quit this June, with 75% having previously attempted to quit smoking or vaping using willpower alone – which can often lead to high relapse rates.1,2 The “Stopping Starts Here” initiative will provide structured smoking and vaping support to help Manchester residents quit smoking or vaping for good.
From June, the ten Boots stores in Manchester will offer quitters one-to-one support, expert product advice, and plans designed to provide structured and tailored guidance to help them achieve their quit goals. This includes:
- 12-Week Quit Plan: A structured plan to support individuals through the quitting process.
- Expert Advice: Advice and guidance for those looking to stop smoking and vaping.
- Customer Support: One-to-one sessions and expert product knowledge to help ensure a tailored and effective quitting journey.
Through its NICORETTE® brand, Kenvue has equipped selected Boots pharmacists with further tools and training, ensuring they can guide and support smokers and vapers on their journey to quit. By putting structured support right in the stores where people shop every day, it makes it easier for those who want to quit but might not go to formal stop-smoking/vaping cessation services.
The work also compliments Manchester’s pioneering efforts to reduce smoking rates and create a smoke-free city-region.[3] This initiative aims to reach the estimated 317,000 smokers in Manchester, where smoking rates are currently at 12.5%, significantly higher than the government target of 5% or less while also supporting vapers who want to quit.[4],[5]
Bas Vorsteveld, area managing director, Northern Europe at Kenvue, said: “Quitting smoking and vaping is incredibly tough, especially when people try to go it alone. With information, support, and access to effective products like our Nicorette® range, people can have a better chance of breaking the habit for good, rather than using willpower alone. Manchester residents are clearly motivated to quit, and there’s impressive work already happening in the region. That’s why we’re working with Boots to help them to provide support, expert advice and product knowledge right on the high street for those who may need a helping hand to help them to quit successfully.”
Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said: “Going smoke free is a huge achievement, but one that comes with real challenges. As the UK’s leading health, wellness and beauty retailer, we want to provide people with as much help as possible. That is why we are excited to partner with Kenvue to further equip our pharmacists in Manchester with the skills to support patients at every stage of their journey.”
All NICORETTE® products, such as NICORETTE® QuickMist Mouthspray, NICORETTE® Gum, NICORETTE® Cools Lozenges, NICORETTE® InvisiPatch and more, can now be used for both nicotine vaping or smoking cessation and consumers can purchase them from Boots stores.
If you’re ready to quit, stop smoking and stop vaping products are available at any Boots store. For support through the “Stopping Starts Here” initiative, visit a participating Boots store in Manchester this June to get started.
