Thousands of Northern Ireland smokers prepare to quit on No Smoking Day

Derval McVerry
11 February 2010 - 10:46am
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Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, joined the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) to urge thousands of smokers in Northern Ireland to take the opportunity of No Smoking Day - Wednesday 10 March - to quit smoking.

Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF, which co-ordinates No Smoking Day in Northern Ireland said, "24% of adults in Northern Ireland smoke and research has shown that over two thirds of them would like to stop.  By using the support available from UCF on No Smoking Day and throughout the year smokers can significantly increase their chance of success.

"This year's theme, 'Break free, we can help', acknowledges that No Smoking Day is the time for smokers to escape their smoking habit. It is a message of support and empowerment that has come from smokers' themselves.

Father of four, Paddy Christie is gearing up to kick the habit for good on No Smoking Day with the help of UCF.  Paddy said, "I was smoking 25 cigarettes every day for 22 years but after attending UCF's Stop Smoking Clinic I have reduced this to 4 or 5 cigarettes per day.  The money I have saved has been a great incentive to quit for good but my main motivation is the health benefits.  My youngest son Jude is only 1½ years old and I want to make sure that when he's older, I am fit and healthy enough to enjoy our time together. 

"UCF provided me with weekly one-to-one counselling at my workplace which has helped me learn about my smoking habits and adjust my behaviour towards smoking.  Their encouragement has been terrific and with their support I hope to 'break free' for good on No Smoking Day."

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said: "No Smoking Day provides an important opportunity for thousands of smokers who want to quit.  The annual campaign has been very effective in Northern Ireland compared to other regions in the UK.  This success is down to the co-ordinated efforts of a number of local statutory and voluntary organisations, including the Ulster Cancer Foundation."

The Minister continued: "In addition to helping smokers to quit, I want to help ensure that children and young people don't take up the habit in the first place.  This is a real priority for my Department."

Gerry McElwee added, "Stopping smoking is the most important thing that you can do to improve your health but it requires commitment and planning, and at UCF we're working more closely than ever with smokers who want to stop.

"We provide weekly stop smoking clinics in a number of settings including GP practices, community centres and workplaces.  These services are funded by the Public Health Agency (Eastern Area) and are free and confidential.

"Our stop smoking clinics are very informal and offer individual and group support.  We talk about smoking habits, tips for giving up and how to cope with cravings.  We have provided almost 30 clinics in the last year and helped over 50% of those attending to stop smoking within four weeks."

Those who do stop smoking on March 10 will gain health and financial benefits in next to no time including:

• Feeling fitter and having loads of energy to start that healthy lifestyle - not feeling out of breath when the dog takes you for a brisk walk!
• Saving a stack of money - giving up a 20-a-day is like a £41 a week pay rise!  Stop on No Smoking Day and by June you can save over £500!
• Having a better sex life - smoking can create hormonal imbalances which decrease libido

Here's some top tips to help you:

• Call your local free stop smoking service on 0800 85 85 85 and check out what it offers
• Get pharmacotherapies such as patches, gum or tablets. It can double your chance of stopping - talk to your GP or pharmacist
• Write down all the reasons you want to stop and stick it on the fridge to help you stay motivated
• Talk to your friends, family and workmates - support from them is essential - why not quit together and keep each other motivated?

Anyone wishing to take part in No Smoking Day activities should contact Judith West at UCF, Tel 028 9066 3281 or email judithwest@ulstercancer.org

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Pauline Wylie, PR & Events Manager, UCF on

028 9066 3281 / 07810 371118 or

Derval McVerry, PR Officer, Ulster Cancer Foundation on

028 9066 3281 / 07812 525531

Notes to editors

• Health Benefits

The health benefits from giving up smoking 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 the 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.