Millions encouraged to kick habit on No Smoking Day
Wednesday, 12 Mar 2008 08:09
Millions of people are expected to try to kick the habit on No Smoking Day
Millions of people will be trying to kick the habit today during the UK's national No Smoking Day.
A study conducted for the day found that one in five smokers intends to stub out for good from today.
As such 2.25 million people could begin a smokefree life today.
Smoking is associated with more than 50 different diseases and disorders and causes almost 90 per cent of deaths from lung cancer, around 80 per cent of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema and around 17 per cent of deaths from heart disease.
Events are taking place across the country to help people quit, with advice available from local stop smoking services and GPs.
"If you're ready to quit, there's never been a better time," said No Smoking Day chief executive Dan Tickle.
"Don't forget the free local help that's available; get help from your stop smoking service and you're up to four times more likely to succeed."
Dr Tony Jewell, the chief medical officer for Wales, said: "Last year, 55 per cent of people in the UK were aware of the day and more than a million smokers made some kind of quit attempt. We're also approaching the first anniversary, on April 2nd, of the smoke-free legislation coming into effect in Wales.
"These two anniversaries are a great reason for smokers to rise to the challenge of quitting tobacco for good."