Make the fag break now
Mar 10 2010 by Helen Rae, The Journal
ANORTH East mother who has successfully stopped smoking is encouraging others to do the same as she celebrates her achievement on No Smoking Day today.
Latest research from YouGov shows approximately 114,000 of the North East’s 440,000 smokers will attempt to cut down or quit today, with one in four smokers expected to kick the habit.
Amy Routledge, 19, from Lemington, Newcastle, who smoked for more than three years, successfully quit smoking with the help of the Newcastle and North Tyneside local Stop Smoking Service.
The mum-of-one said: “I quit smoking when I fell pregnant, as I wanted to protect the health of my baby and I knew I’d need the extra energy once she was born.
“That was two years ago and I’m so pleased to be smoke free. This will set a good example to my daughter Georgia and has meant I have extra money to spend on her, as well as myself. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Ailsa Rutter, director of Fresh – Smoke Free North East – said: “It’s fantastic to see stories like Amy’s that inspire thousands of people across the North East to quit today for the sake of their health and for their family and friends.
“We still need to do more to help those that are still smoking as seven out of 10 smokers say they want to quit. This is an addiction that kills one in two smokers, and remains our biggest killer, taking the lives of 5,500 people in the North Easter each year. If you want to quit, just give it a go.
“Smokers who do want to quit are up to four times more likely to quit successfully when they have professional help and support from the local NHS Stop Smoking Service rather than relying on willpower alone.”
This year’s No Smoking Day message is “breaking free of chains”, aimed at highlighting how 70% of smokers would like to quit and increasingly feel trapped by smoking, encouraging them to take the first step by seeking advice from their local NHS Stop Smoking Service, GP or pharmacist. The message is being backed by TV dragon Duncan Bannatyne.
He said: “I was a smoker and I quit 30 years ago, long before I became a dad, and it was the best thing I ever did.
“The NHS Stop Smoking Service wasn’t around then, but there is so much help and support out there now to help smokers to quit for good. It’s just a question of taking that first step.”
Suzanne Joyce, acting manager of Newcastle and North Tyneside NHS Specialist Stop Smoking Services, said: “If you are thinking of quitting this No Smoking Day, you stand the best chance of staying quit for good if you get advice from your local NHS Stop Smoking Service.
“Our advisors can give you a range of options to support you while you quit, as well as advice on medication available to deal with cravings, so you can choose what is best for you.”
There are more than 1,000 places in the region where smokers can get expert advice, support and medication to deal with cravings, from GP surgeries to pharmacies, schools and community centres.
The North East has seen the biggest drop in smoking in England, from 29% of people smoking in 2005 to 21% of people in 2008.
For information and advice about stopping smoking, contact the NHS Newcastle and North Tyneside Stop Smoking Service on 0300 123 9290.
