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I'm A Smoker - Get Me Out Of Here
By Derval Keenan, 4/23/2004 4:07:29 PM
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No Smoking Day, 10th March, - For Smokers Who Want Out
The Ulster Cancer Foundation today announced the 21st birthday of No Smoking Day, which takes place on the10th March 2004. The campaign aims to help many of the UK?’s 13 million smokers give up the habit and this year?’s theme reminds them that No Smoking Day is ?“for smokers who want out?”. No Smoking Day is about providing the support, help and information that smokers need to stop smoking.
Last year?’s nationwide campaign helped over 1.25 million smokers to stop, and UCF are hoping to build upon this success in Northern Ireland in 2004. It is known that around 72% of smokers would like to stop and more than 83% wish they had never started smoking in the first place. A recent study shows that 61 out of every 100 smokers regretted starting to smoke because of health reasons, and other reasons included the expense of buying cigarettes, addiction, disgust and social stigma.
It is clear that smokers not only want out because of health problems ?– they also want out of spending so much money, being a prisoner to their habit and feeling disgusted by their smoking.
The Ulster Cancer Foundation has managed the campaign for many years in Northern Ireland and Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, said:
?“We are aiming for another successful No Smoking Day in Northern Ireland and are ready to give smokers all the help they need to stop. 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, the expense and the feeling of being trapped, that makes people want out of smoking.
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.?”
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.
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 10th 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 our Helpline on 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, if your doctor thinks it will suit you.
· Plan some treats for the money you will save ?– one for the end of your first smoke free day, week and month.
UCF have a variety of support services available including our smoking cession support groups, which meet confidentially at UCF headquarters 40/42 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast, every Wednesday evening at 7pm. This No Smoking Day the Ulster Cancer Foundation is supported by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare?’s NiQuitin CQ®.
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For further information please contact Nicola Smyth, Ulster Cancer Foundation, on Tel: 028 9066 3281 or mobile: 07703 321643 or Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, Ulster Cancer Foundation on 028 9066 3281 or 07880 504577.
Notes to the Editors:
· A comprehensive website at www.nosmokingday.org has information and support for local campaigners, the press and smokers.
· The local efforts are supported by a national media and awareness campaign. This includes making sure that important messages about the benefits of stopping are featured in a range of media.
· National campaign activities include celebrity endorsements, political support, news features and commercial partnerships. This years partners include Boots the Chemist, Asda and the Armed Forces.
· The overall campaign relies upon a network of over 8000 local organisers who promote No Smoking Day on a regional basis. Over 22,000 campaign packs have been sent out to people who want to help smokers to stop. The pack contains everything people need to get started with No Smoking Day. This includes campaign posters, leaflets to hand out, guides to campaigning and a catalogue of materials to support any local activities. The aim is to make it as easy as possible to get involved in No Smoking Day and help smokers who want to stop.
· Each year thousands of enthusiastic and committed organisers take part in making No Smoking Day one of the most important health campaigns in the UK. It is the hard work of people across many professions including GP?’s, nurses, pharmacists and dentists, environmental and occupational health officers, health promotion officers and smoking cessation specialists which make the campaign so successful.
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