Bury smokers pledge to break free

Date published: 17/03/2010

Smokers in Bury have been making the jump to a smokefree future as No Smoking Day was celebrated in the town.

Bury Stop Smoking Service were on hand in the Millgate Shopping Centre on the 10 March (No Smoking Day) offering visitors to the centre friendly advice and information, leaflets and giveaways to help them, their friends or family, on their smokefree journey.

Every year more than a million people quit smoking on No Smoking Day.

Kate Shepherd, Stop Smoking Service Manager for Community Services Bury said: “It’s a day that gives some people that little bit extra motivation to quit, and with entrepreneur and No Smoking Day President Duncan Bannatyne promoting the campaign, we’re really hoping that the celebrity endorsement from an ex-smoker will encourage others to break free.”

There are so many benefits to stopping smoking such as improved taste and smell, increased energy levels, not to mention the benefits to health, increased life expectancy and a healthier pocket!

Kate added: “We had a really good response from people on the day, at some points in the day, it was so busy it was hard to keep a track of how many information bags we handed out! That’s really encouraging. A number of people said they had pledged to quit on that day, others left their details for us to get in touch with them and arrange for them to see an advisor, whilst others picked up goody bags for themselves, or to give to a friend or loved one thinking about quitting.”

For anyone who missed the team on No Smoking Day, help is only a text or phone call away. Text QUIT IT + name + postcode to 81066 or telephone 0845 223 9001 – to get in touch with Bury Stop Smoking Service. Last year in Bury over 1,000 people quit with the help of Bury Stop Smoking Service.