Joint attack on smoking

Smokers in south Warwickshire are being encouraged to 'Wake up to No Smoking' day on Wednesday 9 March. Both Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Councils are working together with Warwickshire's Stop Smoking Service and Smoke Free Warwickshire in a 'joint' attack aimed at helping people give up smoking.

Local events in support of the national no smoking day will be at Safeway in Stratford-upon-Avon, and Asda in Leamington Spa. Officials from all four organisations will be on hand for help and advice to smokers who want to give it up.

Free carbon monoxide breath checks will be offered to anyone, along with goody bags containing advice and details of local stop smoking services. Visitors can also take part in a competition to test their knowledge in a 'quick quit' quiz and two lucky prize winners will receive vouchers to spend in each store.

"Smoking kills around 1,200 people in Warwickshire every year," said Cllr Tony Dixon, Stratford District Council's portfolio holder for health and housing.

"Giving up smoking is not just about getting rid of an old habit, it's about you or anyone in your family making a fresh start. I would ask smokers to think if maybe it's time to wake up to what smoking is doing to them and take the step to being truly smoke free with all the benefits that brings.

"Stopping smoking is the single most important thing anyone can do to improve their health and that of their families. Specially trained staff and helpful treatments on prescription could mean that stopping smoking is nowhere near as difficult as people think."

Warwickshire's Stop Smoking Service is available through every doctors' surgery in the county.

Anyone requiring further details about No Smoking Day should contact Nancy Singleton at Stratford District Council on 01789 260803. For free help and advice on stopping smoking call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169.