Monday 31 May is World No Tobacco Day, a day of campaigning to encourage people to stop smoking for good.
This year, smokers are being challenged to #CommitToQuit and access local support service to help kick the habit.
Smokers can #CommitToQuit by making an online pledge and giving their reasons why they want to live smoke-free. They will receive advice and support straight from the World Health Organisation.
Sue Swinson is Service Lead for the Specialist Stop Smoking Service in Stockton. She said: “Since COVID-19 restrictions were introduced, we have had 1,295 smokers in Stockton alone set a quit date or pledge to quit smoking. Many have never tried to quit before and they have been pleasantly surprised by how quickly they were able to receive support, often beginning treatment on the same day on which they made contact with us.
“Everyone knows quitting smoking is one of the best things anyone can do for their own health. So on World No Tobacco Day, we say to any smokers: Now is the time to Commit To Quit.”
Councillor Jim Beall is Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture. He said: “The past year or so has made us all think about the state of our health more than eve. And stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your body.
“Smokers are at greater risk of suffering from respiratory illnesses, having poorer immune systems which prevent them from overcoming infections and generally are more vulnerable to poor health.”
Commit to quit
World No Tobacco Day
Hi, my name’s Sue Swinson, I’m the service lead for the specialist stop smoking service in Stockton and it’s world health organisation’s world no tobacco day on the 31st of May.
So we’re encouraging everybody who smokes to sign up to pledge to stop smoking.
Title card: To make the #CommitToQuite pledge: www.who.int
My top tip to help you to stop smoke is to get help.
We offer a 12-week programme of support where you can speak to trained advisors, get the appropriate medications and our telephone lines are available Monday to Friday, nine to five.
It’s just so much easier, It’s up to three times easier if you do get help.
It’s a hard thing to do on your own.
Title card: For help quitting, call:
Hartlepool: 01429 402814
Stockton: 01642 383819
How can I get support?
Jim continued: “There’s free support readily available for all residents to access from the council-funded Stop Smoking Service. They have a proven track record in giving people the advice and help they need to change their lives for the better and to quit smoking for good.”
Smokers in the region can also call the following numbers to get practical advice and help to quit:
- Hartlepool: 01429 402814 / 402815
- Stockton: 01642 383819
To make a #CommitToQuit pledge, visit the World Health Organisation website.