Did you quit smoking? (From Watford Observer)

Did you quit smoking?

9:14am Thursday 19th April 2007

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FIGURES released today show that 28,000 smokers actually stopped smoking on No Smoking Day last month.

Meanwhile 274,000 smokers took a positive step towards stopping smoking.

Helen Atkinson, Regional Tobacco Control Policy Manager for the South East, said: "Thousands of smokers in the South East are now reaping the benefits of stopping smoking on No Smoking Day. They are feeling healthier, fitter and financially better off. It is never too late to stop smoking, contact your local NHS stop smoking service for help and support."

The charity called No Smoking Day launched its Make a fresh start' campaign on March 14 has seen a surge in the numbers of people who have requested information to organise events.

It says an increased demand is due to the UK's smokefree legislation coming into force this year. Many employers sought the chance to get ahead of the ban and used No Smoking Day as the day to change their policies and help their staff to quit smoking.

Analysis showed that there was an increase in the number of smokers using help to quit on the Day rather than going it alone.

Vishnee Sauntoo, Campaign Manager for the No Smoking Day charity, said: "It is really important that smokers who want to stop seek help in their quit attempt. We know that stopping smoking is difficult on your own. There is a range of help available from a free local NHS Stop Smoking Service to nicotine patches or gum from your local pharmacy. However you choose to stop, there is always someone to help and support you."

Any smokers who quit on No Smoking Day will already be feeling the benefits. A 20-a-day smoker will have almost £180 extra in their pocket - a nice weekend break in Europe or a shopping trip getting ready for the summer - using the extra energy they've got. Not only will their sense of taste and smell come back - they will smell a lot fresher too. Blood pressure will be back to normal and there will be no carbon monoxide or nicotine left in the body.

Smokers who didn't join in on No Smoking Day - don't despair. Help and support is available all year round. NHS Stop Smoking Services offer free help that can make it four times more likely that a smoker will succeed in stopping smoking. To find out where your local stop smoking service is log onto www.nosmokingday.org.uk or call 0800 169 0 169.

Have you given up smoking, or did you try but fail? Tell us your story below.

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