Media Comment: Health campaigners mark this year’s No Smoking Day with offer of support

Wednesday 13^th March is “No Smoking Day” – an annual event when support services make a special effort to show that they’re ready and willing to help anyone who wants to quit smoking.

Most people who smoke say that they want to stop. And stopping smoking is the single biggest change they can make to improve their health, while protecting their family and saving themselves a whole lot of money.

The key message of No Smoking Day is to give it a go, and try whatever works for you. And if you need a little help then it’s there for you.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: 

“Some people just decide to quit and manage it straight off – and can be surprised to find it was easier than they thought. For others it can take a number of attempts to succeed, but each time they learn something about themselves and what helps or gets in the way.

“There’s free, expert advice from your pharmacy or Quit Your Way Scotland and you can get prescriptions for help if you need them. Just have a think, and talk to people, and pick your way to quit.

“Use our hashtag #TellUsYourWay to post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and let other people know how you quit smoking. We want to hear your stories and pictures of how you quit – so please share your experiences and encourage others to quit their way.

“No Smoking Day can be a helpful time to quit, along with many other smokers – let the people around you know that you've chosen to stop smoking and ask them to support and encourage you.”

NHS stop-smoking services across Scotland are supporting No Smoking Day. If you want to quit, call Quit Your Way Scotland on 0800 84 84 84 for free, expert advice and help, however you want it. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 8AM to 10PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 9AM to 5PM or you can live chat on the Quit your Way Scotland website