Countdown begins to No Smoking Day 2015

- Helpful tips to help you stop smoking for good -

Thousands of smokers across Northern Ireland are today being urged to quit the habit and become ‘Proud Quitters’ as the one month countdown to No Smoking Day (NSD) on Wednesday 11 March gets underway. 

Local charities British Heart Foundation (BHF) Northern Ireland and Cancer Focus Northern Ireland have teamed up with the Public Health Agency (PHA), who are all part of the local No Smoking Day Coordinating Committee*, to urge smokers to quit on NSD by seeking the help of their local stop smoking service. 

In Northern Ireland the latest figures show that adult smoking prevalence is down from 24% in 2012/13 to 22% in 2013/14. This is a welcome achievement, however we must not become complacent as one in every two smokers die early because of their smoking habit. 

Stopping smoking can be very difficult, but help is at hand. Studies have found that smokers are four times more likely to succeed in quitting with help from stop smoking services than if they go it alone. 

Steph Leckey, Area Development Manager at BHF Northern Ireland, said: “Smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke and a variety of cancers. Stopping smoking is the single best thing you can do for your heart health and the risk to your overall health decreases significantly soon after you stop.

“We are encouraging smokers to visit their GP, pharmacist or local stop smoking advisor to avail of information and advice on quitting smoking. Getting prepared for your quit attempt is the first step on the journey towards a smoke-free life.  

“Join the nearly one million smokers across the UK who will make an attempt this No Smoking Day, and make 11 March the day you start to stop. If you stop for 28 days or more, you are five time times more likely to stop for good.” 

No Smoking Day offers these top five tips to help you quit smoking:  

• Make a date to give up - and stick to it! This year’s No Smoking Day is Wednesday 11 March.
• Make a plan. Think about what could help you stop smoking, such as using a nicotine-replacement product, and have it ready before the date you plan to stop.
• Get support and let your family and friends know that you're quitting. Some people find that talking to friends and relatives who have stopped can be helpful. You can also talk to local smoking cessation team.
• Keep busy to help take your mind off cigarettes. Try to change your routine, and avoid the shop where you normally buy cigarettes.
• Treat yourself. If you can, use the money you're saving by not smoking to buy yourself something special.

Gerry Bleakney, Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control with the PHA, said: “We know that stopping smoking isn’t easy but help is at hand.

“In Northern Ireland there are more than 650 free stop smoking services which are run by specially-trained staff who can advise on the best way to stop smoking. Services are offered in many community pharmacies, GP practices, HSC Trust premises, and community and voluntary organisations, and can be set up in workplaces.  

“If you quit and then relapse, accept it, work out why it happened, and focus on how you can avoid it in future. It takes several efforts for many people to quit for good but if you are determined you will do it. Make NSD your day to quit and start your journey to become a ‘Proud Quitter’.”

Last year thousands of people decided to stop smoking using PHA funded ‘Stop Smoking Services’ and many others quit on their own.

Gerry McElwee, Cancer Focus NI, said: “Cancer Focus NI provides a wide range of services and we have an excellent track record in helping people to quit. Our experienced stop smoking staff provide a friendly, supportive environment. They’ll help you assess how addicted you are to nicotine, overcome the fear of quitting, cope with cravings, manage stress, avoid weight gain and adjust to a healthier lifestyle.”

For more information on the services available and useful tips to stop smoking, visit the PHA’s Stop Smoking (stopsmokingni.info). 

To receive information and support on stopping smoking visit nosmokingday.org.uk and join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NoSmokingDay.