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UCF Congratulate local Companies on No Smoking Day
By Derval Keenan, 4/23/2004 4:10:48 PM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation have presented a number of local businesses with Smoke Free Workplace Awards at their Annual No Smoking Day event held this year at the Park Centre, Donegall Road, Belfast.
UCF congratulated all the companies involved for helping to lead the way in the fight against the dangers of passive smoking by each implementing a no smoking policy. It is estimated that a workplace ban, to include pubs and bars, would save 4,800 lives a year in the UK thats almost one and a half thousand more than the 3,400 people who lose their lives in road traffic accidents annually.
Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF said at the event; Every year in Northern Ireland, smoking causes 2,800 deaths from cancer and other illnesses and we are encouraging all employers to follow suit and implement a no smoking policy. The ban would lead to half a million smokers giving up smoking in the UK and would have four times more impact on current smoking levels than last years tobacco advertising ban .
No Smoking Day sees an estimated 1.25 million smokers attempt to beat their addiction and hundreds of thousands of them feel smoke-free pubs and bars would help them. Gerry McElwee added, Eighty five per cent of former smokers actually support smoke-free public places because they fear that the tobacco temptation will be too great. We know from our research with smokers themselves, that the pub is one of the times theyre most at risk of relapsing.
Figures from Canada have shown that up to one in three smokers can successfully quit if theres a workplace ban accompanied by good support for people who want to stop.
Representatives from the following companies received the Award for their consideration for the health and comfort of their workforce by providing an environment free from tobacco smoke: Conor Café Bar, The Bureau Bistro, Newtownabbey, The Cellar Restaurant, Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown, Esquires Coffee House, Rosemary Street, Belfast, FG Wilson (Engineering) Ltd, First Trust Bank and Pizza Hut.
UCF co-ordinate No Smoking Day here in Northern Ireland, which, is all about providing smokers who want to quit, with the motivation and support they need to be successful. The public were encouraged to visit the stand at the Park Centre to receive free advice and tips on how to stop smoking successfully.
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 Healthcares NiQuitin CQ®.
UCF highlighted 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 dont 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 you want to stop, and keep the note handy to keep you motivated.
· Get armed with information phone NI Smokers Helpline on 0800 858585, UCFs freefone cancer helpline 0800 783 33 39, 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 help.
· Plan some treats for the money you will save one for the end of your first smoke free day, week and month.
Ends
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 Founda
ONS mortality statistics 2002
Data derived from International Tobacco Control Policy Survey
London Health Commission. Big Smoke Debate 2004
tion on 028 9066 3281 or 07880-504577
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