Smokers Urged To ‘Swap Fags For Swag’

Smokers Urged To 'swap Fags For Swag'

Smokers in the East Riding are being encouraged to ‘swap fags for swag’ and consider the financial benefits of quitting this March on the 30th anniversary of No Smoking Day.

Nearly one in six UK adults smoke and figures show two thirds want to quit. In the the East Riding of Yorkshire 51,000 adults smoke (around 18 per cent).

This year smokers are being encouraged to focus on what they could afford to buy if they to quit for a day (saving £7), a week (£49), a month (£210) and a year (£2,555).

NHS East Riding of Yorkshire is organising a Four Week Sponsored Quit this March to help smokers ditch the cigarettes for good in celebration of No Smoking Day on Wednesday 13 March. Anyone wanting to quit smoking is invited to begin their challenge anytime in the month and will be given a Challenge Pack complete with free goodies and a Sponsor Form.

No Smoking Day 2013 will officially launch on Wednesday 27 February, giving smokers two weeks to get ready to quit on No Smoking Day itself, Wednesday 13 March 2013.

Nicola Wood, NHS East Riding of Yorkshire Public Health Manager for Smoking Cessation, said: “One of the biggest incentives for smokers to quit comes from considering the real amount of money they spend on cigarettes and thinking about what themselves and their family could afford if they were to give up for good.

“By tallying up the exact amount of money that could be saved, smokers can work towards an actual goal – be it a new pair of shoes, a family trip to the cinema or a dream holiday.

“No Smoking Day provides the perfect opportunity for to join thousands of others in the East Riding of Yorkshire attempting to quit on the same day. We are encouraging smokers in the area to take part in the Four Week Sponsored Quit Challenge to help many make their first steps towards a healthier and wealthier, smoke free life.”

The four week quit Sponsor Form is available from any of local NHS Stop Smoking Clinics in the East Riding or by contacting Nicola Wood on 01482 391557 or email Nicola.wood6@nhs.net for more information.

This activity is being organised in partnership with Beverley Heart Town, a new and exciting scheme from the British Heart Foundation, launched last year and run in partnership by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, NHS East Riding of Yorkshire, and to offer residents a raft of heart healthy support services and information and to bring the entire community together through local fundraising and volunteering to help beat heart disease.

All funds raised through the Sponsored Quit and other Beverley Heart Town fundraising activity, such as the family friendly Beverley Heart Walk on Sunday 24 March or the 2 mile Beverley Heart Run on Sunday 7 April, will go towards the British Heart Foundation’s Mending Broken Hearts Appeal – an ambitious programme which aims to raise vital funds to find a cure for heart failure, bringing hope to millions worldwide.

The annual health campaign, run by the British Heart Foundation, is now in its 30th year and helped more than 760,000 people quit smoking last year and inspired another 1.5 million to seek out information to help them quit in future.



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