Be proud to be a quitter on No Smoking Day
Thousands of smokers in Oxfordshire are being targeted on No Smoking Day in a bid to help them join the ranks of people who quit in 2016.
Smokefreelife Oxfordshire is taking to the streets on Wednesday 8th March to reach the 72,000 smokers in Oxfordshire. People are invited to come along and visit a quit-smoking advisor and potentially join the 2,000 people who quit with the service in Oxfordshire last year.
Drop-in sessions
Solutions 4 Health’s Smokefreelife Oxfordshire - the experts employed by the council to provide stop smoking services countywide – are running free quit smoking drop-in sessions at Bonn Square, Oxford and Abingdon Market Square from 10am to 4pm; Castle Quay Shopping Centre, Banbury and Templars Square Shopping Centre, Cowley from 9am-5pm. Come and talk to us about how to quit smoking!
The first step in giving up smoking is often the hardest, so Smokefreelife Oxfordshire are offering free nicotine replacement therapy such as patches or gum, and behavioural support on the day from their ‘wellness-on-wheels’ vans – with no appointment necessary.
The team has also been visiting schools leading up to No Smoking Day, to promote the benefits of both quitting and not starting smoking in the first place.
Making a positive change
The council's Cabinet Member for Public Health Hilary Hibbert-Biles said: “Everyone knows stopping smoking is the best thing you can do to improve your health. It is not always easy, but No Smoking Day provides an opportunity for people to think about making a positive change and stop smoking.
“Research has demonstrated that stopping smoking for 24 hours alone can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack, and this is the message we’ll be promoting on Wednesday.”
Contact the Smokefreelife Oxfordshire team directly on 01865 238 036 or email info@smokefreelifeoxfordshire.co.uk for support and the best chance of giving up for good. Help is also available through your GP practice or your local pharmacy. Alternatively, 'like' us on Twitter or Facebook (@smokefreelifeOx) or visit the website at www.smokefreelifeoxfordshire.co.uk.