Smokers in Bath are being urged to take the first step to giving up cigarettes for good on No Smoking Day which takes place on Wednesday 11th March.
While studies show that two-thirds of smokers want to quit, nearly one in five UK adults continue to smoke, including nearly 15% in Bath and North East Somerset while in some parts of the area smoking rates are as high as 33%.
Sirona’s health improvement specialists say if you are a smoker, quitting is the single most important change you can make to your lifestyle to improve your health and No Smoking Day is a great opportunity to take the first step towards stopping smoking.
There are numerous benefits to quitting smoking including improved breathing and fitness levels, clearer skin and reduced risk of heart disease and strokes as well as saving money.
A 20 a day smoker could save around £56 per week or £224 per month which can mean more cash towards your weekly budget or perhaps even a treat like a cinema trip or some new clothes.
Stopping smoking can be challenging but with a combination of professional support and medication you are up to four times more likely to quit successfully.
Sirona offers free support to smokers in a number of venues across Bath and North East Somerset.
Richard Merrett, Sirona’s Health Development Manager said: “‘No Smoking Day’ provides the perfect opportunity to stop smoking not only for the health of the smoker but also for their family’s health as well.
“Many people will say that they have tried to stop smoking before and it didn’t work for them. My answer to that is ‘have you tried to stop with our support?
“We can give free one to one support with an experienced advisor who can offer you a number of options of how you can ultimately become smoke free.”
For more information on all the support on offer call 01225 831852, email [email protected] or go to the Sirona website at www.sirona-cic.org.uk for details of their drop in sessions.
The Sirona Healthy Lifestyle Service’s “Quit Squad” will be in the foyer of The Co-operative in Radstock from 9.30am-12 noon on No Smoking Day to offer advice and support to smokers thinking about quitting smoking.
Call by to pick up your free quit pack and have a free carbon monoxide test. Also look out for “Big Cig” who will be in and around Norton Radstock with the “Quit Squad” from 12.30pm-3.00pm giving out leaflets and chatting to smokers.
Sirona is also holding an event for staff on the day to enable them to access support to quit smoking.
This year’s No Smoking Day theme is ‘Proud to be a Quitter. In life we’re told never to give up, to keep going – but when it comes to smoking, being a ‘Quitter’ is a good thing, say Sirona specialists.
If you have already quit smoking but would like to make another change to improve your lifestyle such as losing weight, getting more active or eating more healthily the Sirona team offers a wide range of free support to help you reach your goal. Call 01225 831852 for more information.
