All aboard the 'Quit it' bus

Quit it!: Get on board for advice on quitting smoking

A ‘Quit it’ bus is taking to the streets of Rochdale to help promote giving up cigarettes.

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale has launched the ‘Quit It’ campaign this week, in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council environmental health.

The campaign will see a borough-wide tour of the ‘Quit It’ Bus to various locations including Rochdale Town Centre, Heywood Distribution Park and Middleton Gardens.

Ingird Corcos, stop smoking manager from NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, said: “A vast number of people in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale have already given up smoking, however, the number of those still smoking is very high and we want to help those who want to give up by providing free, accessible advice.

"It really couldn’t be easier to sign up - the quit it buses will be in the borough from the 18th to the 28th March, providing advice and some great incentives.

"We have a prize draw on board the Quit It Bus for those signing up to the campaign, which will see two winners taking home a Nintendo Wii and Wii Fit or a fantastic family activity weekend.”

Evidence shows that getting professional help can increase your chances of stopping for good. Ingrid added: “The health and financial benefits of giving up smoking will be felt almost straight away. Within eight hours, nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood will be halved, and after 24 hours, carbon monoxide and nicotine are eliminated from the body and oxygen levels are returned to normal.

"Coughs and wheezing will decline after three to nine months of not smoking. And in the long term, after ten years of not smoking, the risk of getting lung cancer falls to half of that of a smoker.”

Quit It bus timetable:

• 16th to 18th March- Heywood, Morrisons
• 19th to 21st March- Rochdale, The Butts
• 23rd to 25th March- Middleton Gardens
• 26th March- Heywood Distribution Park
• 27th to 29th March- Hollingworth Lake

For more details about how you can ‘Quit It’, please ring 0800 432 0303, go to www.quit-it.org.uk or text BUS with your name and postcode to 81066.