Smokers urged to quit

Smoking

Smokers across the borough are being urged to quit smoking this new year and make a change for the better.

A staggering 378 people in the Rochdale borough died from smoking related illnesses in 2009. 

Research has shown that smokers who quit with NHS support are up to four times more likely to succeed.

Ann Howarth, Service Lead, from the Rochdale borough TASK Stop Smoking Service said: “Quitting is not easy, but it can be made less difficult with the right support and tools.

“We want to help as many people break the cycle of addiction and quit for good.”

Social Worker, Laura Miller from Castleton, Rochdale started smoking at 15 and quit after she became pregnant with her second child, she said: “I have a 14 month old son who follows me around the house and would catch me smoking, which made me feel guilty.

“Going out to the back garden for a cigarette became a struggle because he’d want to come outside and play which wasn’t practical in the rain.

“I smoked 20 a day throughout my first pregnancy which I think has something to do with my son catching coughs and colds all the time.

“When I found out I was pregnant with my second child I knew I had to stop.

“I spoke to my midwife and told her that I needed support because I didn’t think I could do it alone and she put me in touch with TASK stop smoking service.

“They were really helpful and put me on Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), and once a week I visit the local stop smoking service and speak to an advisor about my progress and how I’m feeling.

“It’s been 8 weeks since I last had a cigarette and I’m feeling much healthier these days.

“It hasn’t been easy but with the right support I know I can stay smoke free forever.

“It’s important that I do this not only for myself but so that I can be around to look after my children.”

As thousands of New Year’s resolutions are made new NHS Smokefree research reveals that many smokers are largely underestimating how damaging smoking is to their personal health and finances.

Research in the North West shows that: 

• 84 per cent of smokers in the region underestimate the number of people who die annually from smoking related disease by at least 70,000 - the actual figure is over 80,000 deaths a year as a result of smoking.
• 31 per cent of smokers in the region underestimate the number of cancer deaths caused by smoking - the actual figure is that smoking is estimated to be responsible for over a quarter of cancer deaths in the UK.
• And amazingly, 9 per cent of smokers in the region still do not believe that smoking can seriously damage their health and lead to premature death.

Smokers in the North West region also underestimate the financial costs of smoking - on average smokers estimate that smoking 20-a-day is costing them £1,745 per year. With a packet of 20 cigarettes now costing on average £6.59 smokers are underestimating this by over £650. In reality, a 20-a-day smoker could save £2,405 a year if they quit.

Ann Howarth concluded: “If you are thinking about stopping smoking in 2012 and would like to talk to someone please contact us on 0161 655 1581.”