Countdown for smokers who want to make a fresh start
Today the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland (HPA) is encouraging all smokers to make a fresh start by focusing on No Smoking Day (NSD) as the day they quit for good.
The HPA is highlighting the annual NSD event which falls on 14 March this year with a series of television advertisements. These will count down the days to NSD, from 10 to zero, as a way of encouraging smokers to plan ahead. Research has shown that one of the important elements of successfully stopping smoking is for smokers to set a date in advance so they can prepare themselves by concentrating on the day as the day when they will kick the habit for good.
Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the HPA, said: “This year’s campaign theme, ‘Make a fresh start’, highlights the fact that NSD is the focal point for smokers who really do want a fresh, new, healthier lifestyle, which is free from smoking. The day is targeted towards helping and supporting smokers, the majority of whom want to stop, in their efforts to try to give up for good. Over a million smokers use NSD as the opportune time to make a commited quit attempt.
“Smoking is an incredibly difficult habit to break due to the highly addictive nature of nicotine, so it is vital smokers both have, and are aware of, the support they need for their quit attempt to be successful.
“The Smokers’ Helpline, 0800 85 85 85, is a free service which is staffed by trained counsellors who can give valuable advice, support and encouragement to callers. The counsellors can also advise smokers on smoking cessation services available to them in their local area.”
Each year the NSD campaign is evaluated so that the HPA can measure the impact it has on both smokers and non-smokers. Last year’s results showed that 80% of people surveyed in Northern Ireland were aware of the day. As in previous years awareness of NSD remained higher here than in GB where awareness was 61%. Awareness was higher among smokers (87%) than non-smokers (78%) and highest among those aged 45–54 years (88%).
NSD is a major event in the health calendar and has been running for 24 years. The television advertising commences today and will run until Wednesday 14 March.
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Notes to the editor:
In the run up to NSD, many health professionals and voluntary organisations will also be providing support for those who want to make a fresh start.
More information about NSD can be found at www.nosmokingday.org.uk
For further information:
Contact Jenny Dougan or Rosie McGaughey on 028 9031 1611.
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