Pregnancy

The Suffolk Stop Smoking Service

Health Enhancement Reward Scheme

If you are pregnant and finding it hard to stop smoking the HERS scheme can help. HERS stands for the Health Enhancement Reward Scheme and is a free service open to any pregnant woman who lives in the West Suffolk area. The scheme will be rolled out countywide over the next year.

At HERS you will get specialist weekly advice about how to quit smoking safely as well as the opportunity to meet other women who also want to quit. Small rewards are given each week to encourage you to remain smoke-free for the whole of your pregnancy.

These rewards can then be exchanged for a new haircut or a beauty treatment or a night out at the cinema. If you don’t want to cash in the rewards you can save them up to exchange for vouchers later on.

Support from HERS does not stop as soon as you have given birth either-it continues for four months after your baby is born.

“The long term effects of smoking during pregnancy can mean a baby ends up in a special care baby unit which can cause trauma to both baby and parents. These rewards cost virtually nothing yet can really encourage women to overcome their addiction to nicotine”, says smoking adviser Hazel Pearce.

0800 085 6037 telephone helpline