A project funded by Essex County Council which delivers stop smoking support through outlets selling e-cigarettes is to be supported into the next financial year.

Provide, a community interest company commissioned by the Council, delivers a broad range of community services including the Essex Lifestyle Service.

It has been working with vape stores in the county since September 2016, training staff to deliver stop smoking support to their customers. To date, it has resulted in over 900 people stopping smoking through the use of an e-cigarette, it claims.

Customers are supported by the trained shop staff to stop smoking through six sessions at the shop, with the key outcome measure being a carbon monoxide (CO) verified 4 week quit.

The project was a finalist in the LGC 2018 awards in the innovation category.