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Stop Smoking Very Brief Advice
Small conversations, big impact
What is VBA?
Very Brief Advice (VBA) is a simple, evidence-based approach to supporting people to stop smoking. It’s designed to fit naturally into everyday conversations and takes as little as 30 seconds to 3 minutes.
Rather than requiring in-depth knowledge or long appointments, VBA gives people the confidence to talk about quitting smoking in a supportive, non-judgemental way, and be signposted to the right help.
At its heart, VBA is about making every contact count towards quitting smoking.
Chartwell House
Our EK360 staff delivering training to staff at Chartwell House!
BeChange
Delivering VBA to the staff team at BeChange in Aylesham
Alexander House
Staff at Alexander house recieved our training and the equipment to enable them to utilise their training!
Ocean Swell care home
Delivering VBA training to staff at Ocean Swell care home!
Training for staff teams
We deliver free VBA smoking training to staff teams all across Kent and Medway!
How does VBA work?
VBA follows a straightforward approach:
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Ask about smoking status
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Advise on the benefits of quitting
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Act by offering support or referral
It’s not about delivering complex interventions. It’s about opening the door to change—quickly, confidently, and compassionately.
Why does it matter?
Many people who smoke don’t always access traditional health services. However, they may regularly interact with professionals and organisations in their local community.
This is where VBA makes a difference.
By embedding brief, meaningful conversations into everyday interactions, VBA helps to:
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Reach people who might otherwise miss support
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Reduce health inequalities
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Improve long-term health and life expectancy
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Strengthen community wellbeing
Small conversations can lead to life-changing decisions.
EK360 have decades of experience working with local communities.
Our methodology of engage, reflect, improve runs throughout all our external work and internal projects.
They way we run our Very Brief Advice training is no different.
We equip people with the confidence to start conversations that matter—meeting individuals where they are.
Through these interactions, we gain insight into people’s experiences, barriers, and motivations around smoking.
These insights help shape better support pathways, strengthen partnerships, and ultimately improve health outcomes across communities.
How VBA supports communities
VBA empowers local workforces and community organisations to become part of the solution.
Through training, people gain:
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Practical, confidence-building tools
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Skills to support others—and even themselves—on a quit journey
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Greater awareness of local stop smoking services
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Stronger connections with community partners
By bringing together adult social care, health services, and voluntary organisations, VBA helps build more connected, resilient communities.
Our free, interactive training sessions are designed to fit within busy roles and existing service pressures.
Duration: 2 hours
Format: In-person (at your site or agreed venue)
You’ll learn:
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How to deliver VBA in real-world conversations
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Practical brief intervention techniques
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Local referral pathways to stop smoking services
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How to use tools like a Smokerlyzer to measure carbon monoxide (CO) levels
What’s included?
Every participating site will receive:
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A Pico Smokerlyzer and 200 disposable mouthpieces (worth over £200)
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A health promotion pack with posters, flyers, and resources
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Hands-on experience using equipment and interpreting results
It’s a fun, practical session where you’ll leave with a new skill—and the confidence to use it.
What to expect from VBA training
Who is the training for?
This training is currently funded for:
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Adult Social Care and Health professionals
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Voluntary and community organisations working alongside adult social care
If your work supports adults in the community—especially in Folkestone, Hythe, and the Romney Marsh—this opportunity is for you.
Get involved
If you or your team would like to take part, we’d love to hear from you.
Whether you’re ready to book or just want to find out more, don’t hesitate to reach out.
VBA shows that you don’t need hours of training or long appointments to make a difference.
Sometimes, all it takes is a short conversation—at the right moment—to help someone take their first step towards quitting smoking.
30 seconds can change a life.