Smokers in Kirklees urged to be quitters on No Smoking Day 2016
Smokers in Kirklees are being urged to take the first step in giving up cigarettes for good on No Smoking Day which takes place on Wednesday 9 March.
While studies show that two-thirds of smokers want to quit1, nearly one in five UK adults continue to smoke, including 21.2% in Kirklees2. 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.
Dr David Kelly, Chair of NHS North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “We understand that the majority of smokers want to stop smoking, but many find the task too daunting. No Smoking Day is the perfect opportunity to inspire smokers in Kirklees to quit for good.”
The annual campaign is run by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and encourages hundreds of thousands of smokers to make a quit attempt on No Smoking Day.
Cllr Viv Kendrick, Kirklees Council’s cabinet member for prevention, early intervention and vulnerable adults said, “This campaign lets smokers know that they’re never alone as thousands of people will be attempting to quit for good.”
”Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but you’re much more likely to kick the habit with support. There’s a range of services and resources available locally in Kirklees to help you succeed. These services, together with your own determination, means you could live a healthier and wealthier lifestyle.”
Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the BHF, said: “Giving up smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health, and that’s why the British Heart Foundation runs No Smoking Day. We’re encouraging smokers to mark Wednesday 9 March in their calendars, and take the first step towards a smoke-free life.”
Sonia Brown, Service manager for Yorkshire Smokefree Kirklees at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “This No Smoking Day we want to help as many people as we can, who want to stop smoking, become proud quitters.
“Smoking can have a serious effect on people’s lives and is linked to at least 16 different cancers. If you’re ready to stop smoking contact us to find out more about the support we offer to help you quit.”
Stop smoking services offer a number of ways to quit using the telephone, online or face to face appointments with advisors or as a part of groups to help people quit their way. Advisors help people to put together a personal quit plan for six weeks offering behavioural and medication support and advice.
Further information about Yorkshire Smokefree visit www.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk or call 0800 6120011 (free from landlines) or 0330 6601166 (free from most mobiles) Monday to Friday 8.30am -8pm or Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am – 4pm. You can also visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree.
To receive information and support on stopping smoking visit nosmokingday.org.uk and join the conversation of Twitter using the hashtag #NoSmokingDay.
- Statistics from ASH fact sheet. Facts at a glance – smoking statistics. April 2014.
- Estimated local smoking prevalence based on Public Health England Tobacco Profiles/Integrated Household Survey data (2014).
