Nine-year-old hooked on cigarettes begs NHS for help to quit

The nine-year-old says he tried smoking to 'look cool' and 'fit in' Credit: PA

A nine-year-old boy in Shropshire has begged an NHS helpline to help him quit smoking.

The primary-school pupil says he got hooked on cigarettes within weeks of trying one, so he could 'fit in' and 'look cool'.

He told the Sunday Mercury that when he realised he could not break the habit that was leaving him breathless and burning a hole in his pocket, he rang a helpline.

He says he made his own decision to seek help from the Help2Quit service run by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, and was not forced to do so by his parents or family doctor.

It is not known how many cigarettes the boy had been smoking – or for how long - or if he had managed to quit.

Pat Thomas, service manager of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust’s Help2Quit service, said:

Meanwhile, Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust’s Stop Smoking Service is licensed to prescribe nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) only to smokers aged 12 and above.

To date, two city children, aged 12, have asked for – and been given – support, along with more than 200 boys and girls aged from 12 to 17.

The Government’s legal age for smoking is 18 years old.

Stock picture of two children smoking Credit: PA

Carol Carter, clinical lead nurse for Birmingham Stop Smoking Service, said: