Smokers urged to be quitters on No Smoking Day 2016
08 March, 2016
Smokers in Hull, Knowsley, St Helens and Wigan Borough are being urged to take the first step in giving up cigarettes for good on No Smoking Day, Wednesday 9 March with City Health Care Partnership CIC’s Stop Smoking team.
While studies show that two-thirds of smokers want to quit, nearly one in five UK adults continue to smoke, including over 26% in Hull, 21% in Knowsley, 19% in St Helens and 20% in Wigan.
This year’s No Smoking Day theme is ‘Proud to be a Quitter’. In life we’re told never to give up, but when it comes to smoking, being a ‘Quitter’ is a good thing.
The Stop Smoking teams will be out and about in venues and town centres dispensing advice and support to help smokers make this the day you start to stop.
Tracy Vickers, care group director at City Health Care Partnership CIC (CHCP CIC), said, “We understand that the majority of smokers want to quit, but many find the task too daunting. No Smoking Day is the perfect opportunity to inspire smokers in Hull to stop smoking for good.
“With support, smokers are more likely to succeed in their quit attempt. That is why CHCP CIC will be out in force on No Smoking Day, telling smokers about the range of local services and resources available to them.”
William McAlpine (47) was a heavy smoker for 24 years until Smokefree Hull helped him to quit. “I was smoking pretty much a pack of tobacco every day and doing hardly any exercise and it was starting to take a toll on my health.
“I was getting out of breath easily and had very little energy, plus I was becoming more aware of how much smoking was costing me financially. I’d tried to quit before but found it really difficult once the craving kicked in. When I found out about the stop smoking service and that I could just drop in rather than having to go to a group, I made up my mind.
“I went along and had a chat with one of the advisers. She was really thorough and non-judgemental and helped me to decide which would be the best method to help me quit. I’d used patches before and didn’t get on with them but she advised me that Champix would probably suit me. It’s a pill that blocks the nicotine receptors in your brain so cigarettes stop having any effect on you. I got a prescription and started on it straightaway.
“You are supposed to carry on smoking and take the Champix for two weeks, then stop after that. Even though the cigarettes weren’t really doing anything for me anymore, it was still hard to break the habit but I was determined and I haven’t had one since 11 June 2012. It really did help enormously with conquering the physical addiction.
“I’ve noticed a big difference in my energy levels from stopping smoking; I regularly go on long walks with the dogs and on a recent holiday we managed 13 miles at Kielder Water, which would have been unthinkable four years ago. I feel much fitter and healthier and I’m definitely wealthier! I haven’t added up how much I’ve saved since quitting but it must be thousands of pounds.
“I would recommend the Smokefree service to anyone who wants to stop smoking. They are really supportive and helpful and make the whole process much easier. I’m so glad I’m no longer a slave to tobacco.”
Quitting smoking is the single best thing people can do for their health and getting support to help you stop means you’re far more likely to succeed. Mark Wednesday 9 March in your diary and join the hundreds of thousands quitters across the country to stub out cigarettes for good.
For more information and support to help you quit, visit: www.readytostopsmoking.co.uk (for Hull, St Helens and Knowsley) or www.healthyrouteswigan.co.uk (Wigan) or text QUIT to 61825 (HUB for Wigan) (normal network rates apply).
