Islanders are being encouraged to find out how they can give up smoking for good this No Smoking Day.
Simon Bryant, director of public health at the Isle of Wight Council, has spoken of the benefits of quitting on the 37th National No Smoking Day today (Wednesday).
Mr Bryant has said:
“This last year has been very difficult and stressful for many of us, but the good news is that smokers who quit for six weeks or more are happier and experience less anxiety and depression than those who carry on smoking.
“While giving up smoking for good may sound daunting, evidence shows you are more likely to succeed with the help of a stop smoking service than if you try to quit by yourself.
“Healthy Lifestyles Isle of Wight, the council-funded stop smoking service, offers practical solutions, including switching to e-cigarettes, support online, by telephone or via an app, to help you quit in a way that suits you.”
The number of smokers on the Island is around 14%, which is about 16,800 people and remains slightly higher than the national average.
Councillor Clare Mosdell, Cabinet member for public health, says:
“Quitting isn’t always easy, however, Healthy Lifestyles Isle of Wight can help you get the right stop smoking aids to prevent you feeling like you need a cigarette all the time.
“Quitting now really is the best thing you can do to look after your mental and physical health.”
As well as offering information and advice, Healthy Lifestyles Isle of Wight can help with stop smoking aids including nicotine replacement therapy such as patches, gum or inhalers, prescription only stop smoking medicines and e-cigarettes or vapes.
Combining stop-smoking aids with expert help means people are three times as likely to quit as using willpower alone.
For further information on stop smoking support for Island residents, visit Healthy Lifestyles Isle of Wight.
Every smoker is already fully aware that smoking is a totally unhealthy habit. It is purely their choice to smoke. Why can’t these health spokespersons mind their own business and leave people to make their own lifestyle choices? Smokers don’t tell them how to live their lives.
Yes I agree it is a personal decision But letting people know there is help and support out there is a must. I had tried to give up on my own several times during nearly 60yrs as a medium to heavy smoker. I am proud to say with the help and support of the Healthy Lifestyle group I am now a non smoker for 1yr on 13th March. I did not know there was help out there until I saw it advertised so many more may not know either, therefore it needs to be advertised.
Sorry, but I think that smoking cessation services are already well promoted – just look at the notice board at your GPs and the regular TV campaigns. I just cannot stomach all this “give up on No Smoking Day” nonsense, and the preaching by people who have probably never lit up in their life.
Give up when you want to, not when someone tells you to. Many congratulations on packing up though. That must be tough after 60 years. Well done and keep it up – you are over the worse!
it will be all you drinkers next