Are you ready to 'Cut it Out' on 'No Smoking Day'?

The Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland is using television and radio advertising to encourage smokers to 'Cut it Out' and give up smoking for 'No Smoking Day'.

Rob Phipps, Tobacco Programme Manager for the Health Promotion Agency, said: "This advertising campaign aims to make smokers aware of the date of No Smoking Day in advance so that they can prepare themselves mentally to give up.

"We know from research that almost one third of adults in Northern Ireland are smokers and that each year many try to give up on this special day. Research also shows that in the past three years more smokers in Northern Ireland participated in No Smoking Day compared to anywhere else in the United Kingdom. Many of the smokers who stop smoking on No Smoking Day stop for good."

Last year Steve Martin, a committed smoker, was producing the Health Promotion Agency's advertisement for 'No Smoking Day' and while working on this decided to give up. Now one year on Steve is really feeling the benefits of quitting. Steve said: "When I was smoking I used to have a horrendous smoker's cough and now I am glad to say I can breathe more easily. I thought if I gave up smoking I would put on a lot of weight but thankfully I didn't.

"I found it easier to quit than I thought it would be. Of course the first few days and weeks were very hard but then it became easier. After being off cigarettes for a month I thought I could do it for another month. Now one year on from No Smoking Day I am still off them!

"My family and friends gave me great support when I was quitting and this encouraged me to keep at it. Even when I was smoking I thought it was a disgusting habit and now I am really pleased to have put it behind me", said Steve.

Many health professionals and voluntary organisations will also be providing support for those wanting to cut it out on 'No Smoking Day'.

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