Chief medical officer: Smokers should rise to the challenge

Smokers should use No Smoking Day as an opportunity to quit the habit for good, the chief medical officer for Wales has said.

Dr Tony Jewell claimed the national initiative and the approaching first anniversary of smoke-free legislation in Wales are "a great reason for smokers to rise to the challenge of quitting tobacco for good".

No Smoking Day encourages people to aim to quit for a week and highlights the number of free support services for people hoping to kick the habit.

"The week-long challenge will help quitters develop the confidence that they can succeed and will drive many smokers to take advantage of the help and support that's available to quit for good," Dr Jewell said.

"We know that the introduction of the smoke-free legislation has led to more people wanting to give up smoking.

"In 2005/06, 25 per cent of adults in Wales reported that they currently smoked, but it is anticipated that smoking prevalence will reduce by two to four per cent as a result of the smoke-free legislation."