Smokers urged to be quitters on No Smoking Day
07 Mar 2023 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Smokers in Northumberland are being urged to take the first step in giving up cigarettes for good on No Smoking Day which takes place on Wednesday 8 March 2023.
The annual campaign is run by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and this year’s theme is ‘Stopping smoking protects your brain health’. While it’s never too late to make positive changes, keeping your heart healthy in your forties and fifties seems to be particularly important for helping to reduce your risk of dementia. The same chemicals which cause damage to the heart also cause damage to the brain.
Research from Alzheimer’s Research UK shows dementia is the most feared health condition for people over the age of 55 – more than any other life-threatening disease including cancer and diabetes. Yet only 18% of smokers know that smoking causes dementia, compared to over 70% who know that smoking causes lung diseases and cancers.
Gill O’Neill, Northumberland’s Director of Public Health said: “Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your health.
“We know it is not easy, but I would encourage all smokers to never give up on giving up. Every time you try to stop smoking, you’re a step closer to success.
“While many people understand the risk of cancer from smoking, few know that you are more likely to develop dementia if you smoke. By stopping smoking, you can reduce your chances of dementia because every cigarette contains harmful chemicals which are bad for your brain.
“With support, smokers are three times more likely to succeed than those who try to quit without help. Northumberland’s Stop Smoking Service is ready to provide help, advice and guidance to get you on your journey to quitting.”
A new website recently launched to help Northumberland’s smokers quit.
www.stopsmokingnorthumberland.co.uk allows people to access lots of help, information and encouragement to stop smoking for good from the Northumberland Stop Smoking Service - a friendly, experienced team of advisers and specialists.
Wendy Pattison, Cabinet Member for Adult Wellbeing at Northumberland County Council, said: “We want to give our residents all the support we possibly can in their journey to stopping smoking. Smoking is a leading cause of health inequalities and is responsible for much of the difference in life expectancy between the rich and poor.
“Our new Stop Smoking website allows people to access information, get top tips and have access to specialist advice. You can also get one to one support and advice from the Stop Smoking Service by calling 01670 813135.”