More and more stop smoking

3:40pm Thursday 21st August 2008

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More and more people in Bradford and Airedale are quitting smoking with help from the NHS, according to latest figures.

Information published by the NHS Information Centre shows that 4,335 people in the district quit smoking with the help of the local NHS Stop Smoking Service.

That is the equivalent of 11.8 people quitting smoking each day and an increase of 36 per cent on 2006/07 figures.

In the Yorkshire and Humber region 35,500 people stubbed out their last cigarette in 2007/08, an increase of 22.7 per cent.

Madge Boyle, public health manager at Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust (tPCT), said: “It is encouraging so many people in Bradford and Airedale have gone smoke-free in the past year. “Quitting is not easy, but the support of family and friends can make a difference to help people to quit smoking for good.”

Paul Johnstone, director for public health at NHS Yorkshire and Humber, said: “This is tremendous news. People seem to be getting the message. We are starting to see the numbers of people giving up smoking increase every year.

“As well as the health benefits for individuals, these figures are also great news for the NHS as a whole, with smoking-related incidents putting extra strain on our resources. In the near future we will be able to look forward to fewer cases of heart and lung disease, fewer cancer and stroke cases and healthier babies because fewer women now smoke during pregnancy.”

The figures are published as research shows that family support is an important factor in helping people go smoke-free. In response, NHS Smokefree has launched a new initiative in the form of IOU voucher books to help people encourage their family members and loved ones to kick the habit.

The book contains suggested IOUs such as ‘I’ll treat you to dinner if you talk to a stop smoking adviser one-to-one’ and ‘I’ll tidy my bedroom if you stay smoke-free on a family day out’.

The NHS Stop Smoking team from Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT signed up Yorkshire cricket star Adil Rashid this summer to boost the number of people using NHS services to stop smoking.

Local NHS Stop Smoking Services offer ongoing free face-to-face support and advice. Research shows that smokers are up to four times more likely to successfully stop smoking if they use their local NHS Stop Smoking Service together with Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) than they are if they use willpower alone. Call 0800 1690169 or visit nhs.uk/gosmokefree, or ask your local GP or pharmacist for details.