No Smoking Day 2020: Health campaigners celebrate the positive, personal results that can be gained from stopping smoking

Today, Wednesday 11^th March 2020, is No Smoking Day, and ASH Scotland is taking the opportunity to celebrate the positive, and sometimes unexpected results that people can get from quitting smoking. Drawing on the experiences people have had in quitting smoking, we hope to encourage people on social media to share their outcomes as part of our campaign. 

Scottish Government has set 2034 as the year where we aim to have a smoke-free generation, meaning that only 5% of the population should be smoking by that date.  This is a big step forward for the health of Scotland’s citizens, as 58,000 Scots are currently admitted to hospital each year because of smoking. Last year 19% of the adult population were smoking, so we still have some way to go.

Commenting on No Smoking Day 2020, ASH Scotland Chief Executive Sheila Duffy said:

“This No Smoking Day, we are delighted to be celebrating, and encouraging others to share, the positive, personal results that people can gain when they stop smoking. By highlighting the specific ways different people can benefit when they quit, we hope to inspire others to think about stopping smoking on Wednesday 11^th March.

When it comes to quitting smoking, everyone’s journey is different, but the results are always worth it. Stopping smoking is always beneficial, and one of the things that we hear most often from people we speak to about quitting is that it’s never too late to do it. Whatever age you are when you quit, you will still feel the benefits.

Scotland has a ‘Quit Your Way’ approach, which means you can choose the way to quit that will work best for you, and receive the ongoing support and motivation that is so important for success.”