New guitar for musician who kicked the habit ahead of No Smoking Day today!

 Davy, from Dunmurry, quit with the help of Cancer Focus Northern Ireland and hasn't looked back since. Now he's urging other smokers to stub out the habit on No Smoking Day, Wednesday 13th March, and save up for their own treat.

Around 360,000 people aged 16 and over smoke in Northern Ireland and sadly one in every two will die earlier because of their smoking habit.

The singer/songwriter, who has successfully performed in America and Europe, started smoking when he was only 15-years-old. He explained: “Like so many of my school mates I started smoking young and although I have tried to give up many times, this is the first time that I have been totally committed to quitting for good.

"It hasn’t been easy but I haven’t touched a cigarette for almost a year now and the benefits are clear. My health has definitely improved and I noticed my singing voice became clearer within a matter of months. I’ve also been able to save around £800 already.

"A good friend of mind told me about a stop smoking service run by Cancer Focus. He had been to the sessions and had successfully given up smoking and encouraged me to go along. The sessions were very useful and supportive, but one big difference was that I was really ready this time to give up. I don’t intend to retire for many years so I had to start thinking about looking after myself. I also have a young daughter so I want to be a good role model.”

Davy added: “My friend also suggested that I buy myself something with the money I'd have spent on cigarettes as a reward, so I bought myself a bass guitar I had my eye on from Japan. It’s a good idea, every time I play it, it reminds me to stay off the cigarettes. It's a symbol of achievement in a way. I would encourage anyone to give up, it will make a big difference to your life. It is easier nowadays that there is no smoking in public places. Years ago everyone smoked everywhere, now you have to go out of your way to have a smoke, so that helps too.”

Bernie Neeson, Smoking Cessation Co-ordinator, Cancer Focus, said: “It can be a difficult thing to give up smoking alone. Cancer Focus operates the Northern Ireland Smokers' Helpline, 0808 812 8008, and offers services to support people who want to stop. No Smoking Day is on Wednesday March 13 and we are here to help those who want to kick the habit for good.

"Davy is to be congratulated for giving up. The savings can be quite substantial too. Many people set aside the money they would have spent on cigarettes and treat themselves and their family to holidays and other little luxuries."

Cancer Focus also runs an award-winning Stop Smoking Service, which is funded by the Public Health Agency (PHA), in GP practices, health and wellbeing centres, community, workplace and youth settings including schools.
Bernie added: "Our service is delivered by specialist facilitators and achieves quit rates that are consistently higher than the national average. We offer an on-site workplace service which includes Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) as well as behavioural support. This gives smokers easier access to a range of support in one place and lessens disruption to the working day.
“We look at overcoming the fear of quitting, coping with cravings, managing stress, avoiding weight gain and adjusting to a better lifestyle. With help you quadruple your chances of quitting - so why not find out about our services. You've nothing to lose."

For further details about the Cancer Focus Stop Smoking Service please call 028 9066 3281 or email behealthy@cancerfocusni.org
For information and useful tips to stop smoking, call the Cancer Focus free NI Smokers’ Helpline on 0808 812 8008, or log on to the PHA’s ‘Want 2 Stop’ website www.want2stop.info and order a ‘Quit Kit’ free of charge.