TUESDAY, 10 MARCH, 2015

EMBARGOED UNTIL PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:

10:30AM, WEDNESDAY, 11 MARCH, DUNDEE HOUSE FOYER, NORTH LINDSAY STREET 2:30PM, WEDNESDAY, 11 MARCH, ASDA CAR PARK, DUNKELD ROAD, PERTH

Be proud to be a quitter this No

Smoking Day

NHS Tayside Smoke Free Services are urging people to be quitters for No Smoking Day 2015 (Wednesday 11 March).

Staff held awareness events in Perth and Dundee today (Wednesday) in a bid to help people take their first step in giving up cigarettes for good and become proud to be quitters.

Staff were on hand to provide expert advice and information about quitting smoking and the support available locally for those who want to give up.

Health promotion officer Tracey Mackay said, “We understand that many smokers want to stop smoking, but many find the task too daunting. No Smoking Day is the perfect opportunity to inspire smokers in Tayside to quit for good.

“With support, smokers are more likely to succeed in their quit attempt. That is why NHS Tayside Smoke Free Services is supporting No Smoking Day by educating smokers on the range of local services and help available to them.”

This year’s No Smoking Day, which is run by the British Heart Foundation, has a ‘Proud to be a Quitter’ campaign theme, which aims to inspire hundreds of thousands of smokers to stub out cigarettes once and for all.

Giving up smoking is the single most important lifestyle decision that anyone can make to improve their health immediately.

Anyone who wants to stop smoking can 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. Anyone who wants to stop smoking in 12 weeks can also visit their local pharmacist to find out more about a free programme of support to quit smoking. 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