Get help and stop smoking for good

Smokers are reminded that expert help is on hand from leading local charity Cancer Focus Northern Ireland which can help make quitting much easier and more successful. This includes a list of top ‘quit’ tips and a range of specialist stop smoking services.

Twenty-five per cent of adults in Northern Ireland smoke (that is 360,000) and research has shown that over two thirds of them would like to stop. 

Alma Mason (52), from Donaghadee, gave up her 20 a day habit three months ago with help from a Cancer Focus stop smoking specialist. She says:

“The biggest thing about quitting is that you have to want to do it for yourself - it’s no good someone else telling you, that won’t work.

"I started smoking when I was still at school around the age of 16. It was the usual tale of joining in because it was the cool thing to do. I’ve been smoking all my life since then. Over the last few years I’ve made a few half-hearted attempts to give up - the longest I lasted was about three months. I guess it was a case of not really wanting to give up. At the time I worked on ferries and duty free cigarettes was a perk of the job, making it a lot harder.

"Last year was very stressful - my husband, Lawrence, had a heart attack and had to give up work. I was made redundant a few years ago and we also lost our house before Christmas.

"Lawrence was the first to give up smoking – he started when he was about 10. Then I stopped because I thought it wasn’t fair for me to smoke when he was trying to stop, and finally stopped in November.

"We both go to Cancer Focus stop smoking one-to-one sessions at our local health centre. Our stop smoking specialist is very good and gives us lots of advice on how to deal with temptation. She’s an ex-smoker too, so knows exactly what it’s like. We get carbon monoxide checks each week and the drop in the level is amazing to see. It encourages you to keep on track.

"I haven’t found quitting too bad. I use nicotine patches, gum and the new film strips, which I get at the sessions. If I get that urge to have a cigarette, I have them to fall back on.

"It’s been three months now and I’m feeling healthier. I have a black Labrador, Della, so I get plenty of exercise with her. I was starting to feel breathless  -  up and down stairs was the worst – but that has improved since I stopped.

"Obviously we have more money in the bank too, which is really useful. Smoking 20 a day costs £7 or £8, and when you’re saving that it soon mounts up. I’d love to save up and have a holiday some time. Hopefully this year things will be better all around.”

Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention at Cancer Focus, said: “No Smoking Day is one of the best times for smokers to escape their addiction so we encourage them to make Wednesday 12th March the day that their smoke-free life begins – but you could choose any date in the calendar that suits you.

“Stopping smoking is the most important thing that you can do to improve your health but it can require commitment and planning. That’s why we at Cancer Focus are working more closely than ever with smokers who want to stop.

“The services we offer, funded by PHA, include a Smokers’ Helpline on 0808 812 8008, stop smoking sessions in local workplaces, youth groups, schools, colleges and other community settings, with behavioural support and stop smoking medication such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).

“At our stop smoking sessions we can assess how addicted you are to nicotine. We look at overcoming the fear of quitting, coping with cravings, managing stress, avoiding weight gain and adjusting to a healthier lifestyle.

“If you join a specialist stop smoking service then you double your chances of stopping smoking. Around 56% of those who enrolled in services last year had successfully stopped at four weeks.”

No Smoking Day is organised in Northern Ireland by Cancer Focus, the Public Health Agency (PHA) and British Heart Foundation (BHF) Northern Ireland, who are members of the local No Smoking Day Coordinating Group.

 Here are some top tips to help you quit:

 1.Call the local freephone Smokers’ Helpline on 0808 812 8008 for a  Quit Kit and find out about services in your area 

2. Talk to your GP or pharmacist about services in your area and pharmacotherapies such as patches, gum or tablets

3. Make a list of all the reasons you want to stop and stick it on the fridge to help you stay motivated

 4. Make a chart of all the money you would save and treats you could buy

5. Talk to your friends, family and workmates – support from them is essential – why not quit together and keep each other motivated

6. Smokers can also get information and advice from the free NI Smokers’ Helpline on 0808 812 8008, or visit www.want2stop.info and order a Quit Fit free of charge, and get information on local services.