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UCF Encourage Smokers to ?‘Wake Up to No Smoking Day?’
By Derval Keenan, 6/1/2005 12:22:22 PM
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Leading by example, the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) are encouraging smokers to ?‘Wake up to No Smoking Day?’ at smokefree Café Conor, Stranmillis Road, Belfast by sharing a healthy breakfast with ex-smokers Ciaran and Ellen Rooney and their three children, Caitlin aged 4, Ciara aged 2 and Bronagh who is 6 months old.
Ellen and Ciaran are celebrating their first smokefree month on No Smoking Day and are determined to kick the habit for good by attending UCF?’s smoking cessation support group and motivating each other, to ensure a healthier smokefree environment for their children.
No Smoking Day aims to encourage many of the UK?’s 13 million smokers to give up the habit on Wednesday 9th March 2005 and is being co-ordinated locally by UCF. The Day gets bigger every year with an expected one in three smokers (33%) across Northern Ireland ready to take a positive step towards stopping smoking. This makes No Smoking Day one of the biggest health events in the Northern Ireland calendar!
UCF will also have an information stand at Park Centre, Donegal Rd, Belfast offering on the spot support and advice for smokers who want to give up successfully.
The campaign is all about providing smokers who want to quit, with the motivation and support they need to be successful. Giving up smoking is not just about getting rid of an old habit - it's about making a fresh start. 'Wake up' captures both sides of giving up - realising what smoking is doing to you and that great feeling that you can wake up truly smokefree!
Arlene Spiers, Chief Executive, UCF, said, ?“No Smoking Day 2005 is about planning ahead, to ?‘wake up?’ to a fresh start on the Day. Giving up smoking at any time of the year requires much planning, encouragement, support and motivation but the day itself provides an excellent focus for many smokers to stop.
?“We congratulate Ellen and Ciaran for giving up smoking and we hope to encourage all smokers to improve their own health and the health of those around them by giving up.
?“The 2004 nationwide campaign helped over a million smokers try and stop and the day continues to achieve high levels of public recognition and involvement, but nowhere is there greater impact than Northern Ireland. Research by pollsters NOP showed that 84% of smokers or recent quitters recalled No Smoking Day 2004 and when prompted the response rose to 98%. Public awareness of the day is also higher here than in Great Britain.
?“Smoking is on the decrease among men in the province, but on the increase among women. Today, 26% of men and 28% of women smoke and lung cancer now causes more deaths among women in Northern Ireland than breast cancer.
?“Giving up smoking is one of the best things people can do to improve their health. Smokers are well aware of the health consequences of smoking, for instance lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, and this can make them want to stop. However, on a day-to-day basis, it?’s often the smell, the mess and the expense that make people want to give up. Every year in Northern Ireland, smoking causes 2,800 deaths from cancer and other illnesses.?”
The health benefits from giving up begin within 20 minutes of stopping, and will greatly increase over the years. After your last cigarette?…
20 minutes ?– Blood pressure returns to normal
24 hours ?– Carbon monoxide is eliminated from your body and your lungs start to clear out mucus.
48 hours ?– No nicotine is left in your body. Taste and smell improves.
72 hours ?– Breathing becomes easier and your energy levels will increase.
2-12 weeks ?– Circulation improves making walking and running easier.
3-9 months ?– Coughs and breathing problems improve as lung function improves by 10%
5 years ?– Risk of heart attack falls to half that of a smoker.
10 years ?– Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.
In the run up to No Smoking Day, and throughout the week, UCF will be highlighting ways smokers can make giving up easier, such as useful tips for stopping:
· Name the day you are going to stop ?– such as 9th March ?– you will need some time to plan, so don?’t just go on impulse.
. Tell your friends and family you are sick of smoking, and get them to help you stop.
· Write down all the reasons why you want to stop, and keep the note handy to keep you motivated.
· Get armed with information ?– phone UCF on 028 9049 2007, NI Smokers helpline 0800 858585, talk to a pharmacist or see your doctor.
· Find out about the drug treatments that could help you ?– you can get Nicotine Replacement Therapy, or Zyban, on prescription (talk to your doctor or pharmacist).
· Plan some treats for the money you will save ?– one for the end of your first smoke free day, week and month.
UCF has a variety of support services available including a free and confidential smoking cessation support service to help people give up successfully and UCF also offers a comprehensive training portfolio for professionals. For further information on UCF?’s Smoking Cessation services and training please contact UCF on 028 9049 2007 or call UCF?’s freefone helpline number on 0800 783 33 39.
This No Smoking Day the Ulster Cancer Foundation is supported by GlaxoSmithKline stop-smoking aid NiQuitin CQ®.
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For further information please contact:
Derval Keenan, PR and Events Officer, UCF
on 028 9049 2007 or 07812 525531
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