FRIDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER, 2015

PHOTOGRAPH ATTACHED: KELLY COYLE WITH BABY DAUGHTER FAYE WHEN SHE WAS FIVE MONTHS-OLD

Tayside mum quits smoking to help give daughter the best start in life

A Tayside mum, who gave up smoking to improve her chances of conceiving, today (Friday) urged people to get support to kick the habit for good.

Kelly Coyle, who lives in Invergowrie, wanted to give up smoking after she and her husband decided to try for a baby.

After receiving support from her GP, Kelly took part in the Give it Up for Baby (GIUFB) scheme and the NHS Tayside Smoke Free Services team provided vital information and advice to help her give up cigarettes.

Kelly (29) was later thrilled to learn that she was expecting her first baby - just four weeks after quitting smoking,

Kelly, who is now a proud mum to daughter Faye, said, “After we got married, we decided we wanted to try for a baby and we thought that would be the perfect time to give up smoking.

“I started smoking when I was 18 and I really wanted to give up. The support I got was so helpful, I don’t know what I would have done without it.

“Four weeks after giving up we found out I was pregnant, we were delighted.”

GIUFB is a joint project between NHS Tayside and partnership agencies to support mums-to-be to quit smoking. Pregnant women who give up smoking with the incentive scheme can receive up to £50 per month in supermarket vouchers for food and groceries. Participants are also offered nicotine replacement therapy and group support as part of the programme.

“The smoking cessation classes were really the thing that kept me going,” Kelly added. “I had so much support and encouragement. I would totally recommend it to anyone who wants to give up.

“Since giving up, I feel much better. When I was smoking, it was all about when I could have my next cigarette so now I feel much less stressed than I used to. It has made such a difference to me, I will never smoke again.”

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 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 one year 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

NHS Tayside operates a strict no smoking policy to continue to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of all patients, visitors and staff.

The Scottish Government has set out the ambition for Scotland to be a place where almost nobody smokes. NHS Tayside supports this ambition and asks that people who wish to smoke, only do so outwith NHS Tayside premises or grounds.

From 31 March 2015 all hospital sites across Scotland became smoke free to meet the requirements of the Scottish Government’s tobacco control strategy.

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134