Stop smoking and save money!

 Stop smoking and save money!

TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER, 2016

PHOTO ATTACHED: PROJECT CO-ORDINATOR ELVI GUILD AT OVERGATE SHOPPING CENTRE

Stop smoking and save money!

NHS Tayside’s Smoke Free Services Team is helping shoppers look forward to a healthier future.

Staff from the team have been visiting the Overgate Shopping Centre in Dundee during September to offer advice and information about the benefits of giving up smoking and the support available to help people quit.

The team has also been highlighting the financial benefits of giving up smoking, particularly in the run up to Christmas. If a 20-a-day smoker quits on Sunday, 2 October, they could save £714 on average by Christmas.

Health Promotion Officer Tracey Mackay and project co-ordinator Elvi Guild will again be on hand at the Overgate to answer questions and provide information on Thursday, 29 and Friday, 30 September.

Tracey said, “As well as a financial incentive for Christmas, giving up smoking is the single most important lifestyle decision that anyone can make to improve their health immediately and we can offer advice and support to anybody who would like to quit.

“Smoking is a serious issue which causes 13,000 deaths and 56,000 hospital admissions a year in Scotland which could be reduced by people choosing not to use tobacco.

“Stopping smoking can not only reduce your health risks, but can improve breathing, circulation and energy levels to name just a few benefits.”

Smokers in Tayside can go to their local pharmacy for a free consultation and if they wish to stop they can access a free 12-week programme of stop smoking support and products, including NRT and Champix.

People can also call NHS Tayside Smoke Free Services on 0845 600 999 6 to find out about all the ways in which NHS Tayside can help support people to become smoke free. You can also join our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nhstaysidesmokefree

Health benefits to quitting smoking:

• 20 minutes after quitting your blood pressure and pulse return to normal

• 48 hours - no nicotine is left in your body. Your senses of taste and smell are greatly improved

• 72 hours - your breathing becomes easier and your energy levels increase

• 2-12 weeks after quitting smoking your circulation improves and exercise can be easier

• 3-9 months - any coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve

• Within five years the risk of heart attack is halved

• Within 10 years the risk of lung cancer is halved and the risk of heart attack is at the same level

as non-smokers

• Medium to long term – stopping smoking at any age increases your life expectancy, provided you

stop before the onset of serious disease. Even if you have developed a disease, you can benefit

from stopping as your body will be under less strain and be able to fight it more easily

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134

27 September 2016