Hackney,
07
March
2016
|
14:56
Europe/London

Become a proud quitter for No Smoking Day 2016

sarahpluck.jpg

Hackney residents are being encouraged to stop smoking and become a proud quitter for national No Smoking Day on Wednesday.

The borough’s 44,000 smokers are being challenged kick the habit for good on 9 March.

Giving up smoking leads to significant health benefits, from living longer to easier breathing, improved fertility and younger looking skin. Quitting can also save a substantial amount of money with the average pack of 20 cigarettes now costing almost £10.

The theme for No Smoking Day is ‘proud to be a quitter’, using inspirational stories from ex-smokers to show how quitting has changed their lives.

Sarah Pluck from Hackney quit smoking 10 months ago when she became pregnant for the second time, but found it hard to remain smoke-free.

Not wanting to harm her baby, Sarah got in touch with the Daubeney Children’s Centre and signed-up to weekly, one-to-one behavioural support and medication.

Sarah spoke about her experiences of quitting, she said: “I got tips to fight the cravings, such as doing something interactive with my daughter or drinking a cup of water instead of thinking about smoking.”

Sarah has already noticed the health benefits of being a non-smoker and the money she’s saved. She said: “I’ve already saved a £1,000 just by putting the money that I would have spent on cigarettes in a jar which we’ll spend on a holiday with the kids in the summer.”

Sarah added: “If you’re trying to stop smoking, just keep at it and take each day at a time. Set yourself a new routine and once your body is set to it, your mind will follow.”

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, Hackney Council
If you’re one of the two-thirds of smokers who want to quit smoking, make 9 March the date to start. Quitting makes you live longer, that’s a reason to stop smoking alone, and there are other huge health benefits.

With the average pack of cigarettes now costing almost £10, you’ll also save yourself a fortune. Free and friendly support to help stop smoking is available and for No Smoking Day, specialist advisors will be available across Hackney locations such as the Hackney Service Centre. Put No Smoking Day in your diary and commit to quit.
Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Culture, Hackney Council

Find more information about No Smoking Day, a campaign run by the British Heart Foundation, visit: nosmokingday.org.uk or join the conversion on Twitter using the hashtag #NoSmokingDay

For confidential, expert advice and where to get support to stop smoking, contact Hackney’s Stop Smoking Service on: 0800 046 9946 or: 020 3316 1085 or visit: www.smokefreehackney.org.

You can also visit these stop smoking surgeries:

  • 7 March - Woodberry Down Children’s Centre - Springpark Drive, N4 2NP - 1:30pm – 4:30pm
  • 7 March - Linden Children’s Centre. 86-92 Rectory Rd, London N16 7SH - 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • 8 March - Tyssen Children’s Centre. Oldhill St, London N16 6LR - 1:30pm – 4:30pm
  • 8 March - Seabright Children’s Centre. Haggerston Park, Queensbridge Road, London E2 8NP - 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • 8 March - Ann Tayler Children’s Centre. 1-13 Triangle Rd, London E8 3RP - 1:30pm – 4:30pm
  • 9 March - Daubeney Children’s Centre. Daubeney Rd, London E5 0EG - 9:30am – 12:30pm
  • 9 March – Hackney Service Centre - 10am – 4pm
  • 9 March – Ridley Road Market - 10am – 4pm

Hackney GP Practices

  • 5 March - Springfield HUB (outside) - 11am - 1 pm and 3pm - 5pm
  • 7 March - Lawson Practice HUB (outside) - 11am - 1 pm and 3pm - 5 pm
  • 9 March - Heron Practice HUB (outside) - 11am - 1pm and 2pm - 4 pm