Smokers
in Sheffield are being urged to quit the
habit on Wednesday 9th March, National No
Smoking Day.
To mark the day,
Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service is holding
a record number of events throughout the
city. Smokers will have the chance to meet
specially trained Stop Smoking Advisors
at fourteen Stop Smoking Roadshows, taking
place in supermarkets, shopping centres,
transport interchange and community centres,
across Sheffield on Wednesday 9th March.
The media are invited to the Stop Smoking
Roadshow, being held at The Moor, at 10.00am
on Wednesday 9th March. Chantil Wood from
the Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service will
be joined by advisers and ex smokers for
photographs and media interviews.
The Sheffield NHS
Stop Smoking Service had contact with over
8000 Sheffield people during 2004. Malcolm
Simpson of The Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking
Service said: "We want to build on
last years success, and National No Smoking
Day is a great way of letting people know
about the service, and the professional
support we offer smokers to help them give
up. People in Sheffield are not always aware
of the comprehensive support available in
the city, so we’re looking to increase
awareness with our presence throughout Sheffield
on National No Smoking Day.”
Smokers who visit
the roadshows will be given advice on how
to stop smoking, as well as being given
details of all the quit programes available.
They will also have the opportunity to sign
up for a quit group, telephone support,
or be directed to a one-to-one programe.
Expectant mothers
and their families can get additional support
from specialist midwifes, who will be available
at the Jessop's roadshow.
If smokers join one
of the many Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Service
quit programmes, they will be able to access
nicotine replacement products, such as patches,
on prescription.
As an added incentive,
everyone who quits through the service will
be given free vouchers, which can be redeemed
at any Sheffield International Venues site,
for ice skating, swimming, gym or dancing
sessions.
Chantil Wood of the
Sheffield NHS Stop Smoking Services said:
“This year we’re holding a record
number of events throughout the city, so
even more people can access the service
and enjoy the benefits of giving up smoking.
She added: “More
than half the smokers who commence a quit
programme with the NHS Stop Smoking Service
become successful quitters, compared to
smokers who attempt to quit by themselves.”
People who use National
No Smoking Day to quit will notice the benefits
within days. After just 20 minutes blood
pressure returns to normal and after just
24 hours the lungs start to clear out the
build up of tar. 48 hours later nicotine
will have almost cleared out of the body.
After a few weeks exercise will be easier
and after five years the risk of a heart
attack is halved. In those same five years
a 20-a-day smoker will have saved around
£9,000.
To find your nearest
NHS Stop Smoking Service quit group please
call 0880 068 4490, or
visit the roadshows on National No Smoking
Day.
National No Smoking
Day Road shows – Wednesday 9th March
9am – 4pm
The Moor
Healthy Living Center Upperthorpe
Orchard Square
Howden House
Crystal Peaks
Hillsborough Precinct
Asda, Chapeltown
Castle Market
Sheffield Transport Interchange
Morrisons, Ecclesfield
Tesco, Infirmary Road
Fargate
Jessop Wing (Teaching Hospital)
BBC Radio Sheffield (10.30am – 3pm)
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