The
Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service and Sheffield
International Venues (SIV) have joined forces
to encourage smokers to move on to a healthier
lifestyle.
Smokers who successfully
quit with the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking
Service are being given the opportunity
to take up a new leisure activity to complement
their smoke-free healthier lifestyle. Successful
quitters will receive vouchers redeemable
at SIV. The vouchers entitle them to free
activities at any of SIV’s four venues
choosing from swimming, ice skating, exercise
classes or tea dancing.
Over the past six
months visitors to Ponds Forge, Hillsborough
Leisure Centre, Don Valley Stadium and Concord
Sports Centre will have seen the Sheffield
Stop Smoking Service’s ‘Look
Good, Feel Good’ billboards. They
point out how much healthier smokers would
feel if they gave up smoking to complement
their active lifestyle.
John Soady, who is
responsible for the NHS Stop Smoking Service
in Sheffield said: “It is great to
have this partnership with SIV. Not only
is it a reward for people who’ve worked
hard to successfully quit, it is a double
whammy to improve their health. Stopping
smoking and increasing activity –
particularly for those currently inactive,
both have the effect of halving a persons
individual risk of dying early due to heart
disease, stroke and cancer. It is great
to be able to offer people an opportunity
to tackle the two together.”
Steve Brailey, Chief
Executive of Sheffield International Venues
said: “This is another example of
the work we are doing with partners across
the city to encourage people to take a more
active interest in their health and fitness.
“We hope that
lots of people will be spurred on by this
initiative to give up smoking and start
focusing on a healthier lifestyle.”
People who stop smoking
notice the benefits within days. Within
3 days breathing becomes easier and energy
levels increase; in 2-12 weeks circulation
improves and walking becomes easier; in
3-9 months breathing problems such as cough,
shortness of breath, and wheezing improve
.
The Sheffield
NHS Stop Smoking Service can be contacted
on freephone 0800 068 4490.
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