SMOKE FREE WARWICKSHIRE

PRESS RELEASE

Hundreds of Warwick, Leamington & Kenilworth smokers prepare to quit on No Smoking Day!

Hundreds of smokers across Warwick, Leamington & Kenilworth are serious about stopping on this year’s No Smoking Day, Wednesday 8 March.  Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service is preparing to help smokers as they join the 2 million UK smokers expected to stop on No Smoking Day. Organisers will be at the Healthy Living Centre in Shrubland Street , Leamington from 9.30am to 2pm on No Smoking Day ,8^th March, with free Carbon Monoxide checks and a goody bag for all smokers who come along.

This year’s theme is Serious about stopping?...you can do it!.  Two thirds of smokers want to quit and if they’re serious about stopping they can do it with the help and support that is available across Warwick Leamington, & Kenilworth.   Those who do stop smoking on 8th March will gain health and financial benefits in next to no time, including:

·         More money: giving up 20-a-day is like a £30 a week pay rise!  Stop on No Smoking Day and by June you’ll have saved over £400!

·         Better sex life: smoking can create hormonal imbalances which decrease libido

·         Feel fitter: within two weeks of stopping you’ll finally be able to run for the bus without a coughing fit!

Dawn Powers, Specialist Smoking Cessation Advisor said: “24% of adults in this area smoke and research has shown that over two thirds of them would like to stop.  No Smoking Day provides an excellent opportunity for them to do that.  By using the support available on No Smoking Day and throughout the year you can significantly increase your chances of success. There’s never been a better time to stop smoking and there’s more help available with special clinics and pharmacies on board, than ever before.”

Ben Youdan, Chief Executive of the charity No Smoking Day, which organises the annual campaign, said: “Good luck to all the smokers in Leamington Kenilworth & Warwick who make a quit attempt on March 8 – remember you’re not alone. Take advantage of the support available; you’ll get friendly and expert advice to help you stop smoking for good.”

Here’s some top tips to help you:

• Call your local free NHS stop smoking service on 0800 085 2917and check out what it offers – it could quadruple your chance of stopping
• Get some Nicotine Replacement Therapy such as patches or gum. It can double your chance of stopping – talk to your GP or pharmacist
• Write down all the reasons you want to stop and tape it to the fridge to help you stay motivated
• Enlist the support of friends, family and workmates – why not quit together and help keep each other on track?

For free advice and support to stop smoking, phone the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169.

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Contacts

Dawn Powers             07917 227004

Denise Milnes             07831 677 574

Notes to editors:

For more information on No Smoking Day, visit www.nosmokingday.org.uk

Send mail to smokefreewarwickshire@nhs.net with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2006 Smoke Free Warwickshire
Last modified: 2/09/08