It’s not too late to quit – join nearly 3,000 smokers who have

02/07/2008

Nearly 3,000 people in Gloucestershire have quite smoking in the past year with the help of the Gloucestershire NHS Support to Stop Smoking Service.

A year after legislation banning smoking in public places was introduced, 2,958 people have used the Gloucestershire NHS Support to Stop Smoking Service to help them quit smoking.

Director of Public Health, Dr Shona Arora, said: “This is a great achievement. We have had more people quit than the target we set out to achieve.

“Smoking is responsible for nearly 1,000 deaths in Gloucestershire each year. It contributes to a number of illnesses whether first hand or through second hand smoke, particularly in children. If people consider changing their lifestyle in just one way then quitting smoking is a good one to start with.”

Helen Brookes, from Gloucester, is just one person who has used the service to quit. She is now supporting her son through quitting smoking.

“I felt chained to nicotine. I wanted to quit to give myself the freedom from the addiction and be able to go anywhere and do anything without thinking about smoking.”

Other work has included working with Healthy Schools to produce credit card sized information leaflets highlighting services available for young people to help encourage them to quit smoking.

The Gloucestershire NHS Support to Stop Smoking Service can be contacted on 08454 220040.