Scots urged to 'Quit Your Way' on No Smoking Day

ASH Scotland is urging people across Scotland to consider making an individually tailored plan on national No Smoking Day today (Wednesday 9^th March 2022) to give up smoking to improve both mental and physical health.

The health charity’s call, which is backed by the Scottish Government, is encouraging people to ‘Quit Your Way’ in ways which work best for individual circumstances by seeking person-centred support from local cessation services, community pharmacies or the national stop-smoking service Quit Your Way Scotland run by NHS 24.

Although the smoking rate in Scotland has dropped from 28% in 2003 to 17% in 2019, more progress is required if the Scottish Government’s ambitious target of reducing the rate to five per cent or less by 2034 is to be met.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “Smoking tobacco is the biggest cause of preventable ill-health and early death in Scotland with an estimated 100,000 hospitalisations and 9,000 deaths each year.

“Nicotine is highly addictive and, although it can take a number of attempts to quit, some people find giving up cigarettes or tobacco easier than they had thought. For others, it takes a number of attempts, and it is worth trying again. Quitting smoking can improve your mental health and, within a year of stopping, the risk of coronary heart disease reduces by half compared to someone who smokes.

“Quit Your Way Scotland, local stop smoking services and community pharmacies provide free support which can help you to develop a personalised plan and, on No Smoking Day, we are encouraging people to begin taking vital steps towards a much healthier future by stopping smoking for good.” 

Public Health Minister, Maree Todd, said: “Stopping smoking at any time is one of the best things you can do to improve your health. Smoking rates have continued to fall over recent years but still 17% of Scottish adults use tobacco products. 

“Our determination to prevent the uptake of smoking among young people is matched by our commitment to provide the best possible support for current smokers to give up. We continue our work to protect everyone, especially children and non-smokers, from the harm caused by second-hand smoke.

“We also recognise the impact of smoking in causing and exacerbating respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma. Our Respiratory Care Action Plan sets out our vision for driving improvement in the prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support of people living with respiratory conditions, and the importance of prevention strategies in preventing respiratory disease.”

Anyone in Scotland who has the goal of giving up smoking can contact a Quit Your Way adviser by calling the free helpline on 0800 848484 or create a quit plan at www.quityourway.scot.

-ENDS-
 

For media enquiries:

ASH Scotland, media@ashscotland.org.uk

Notes for editors:

• ASH Scotland – Action on Smoking and Health Scotland – is the independent Scottish charity taking action to reduce harm caused by tobacco. We seek to improve health and quality of life by helping to create a society which supports young people in remaining tobacco-free, helps those who want to stop smoking, protects people from second-hand smoke and challenges the inequalities resulting from tobacco use. Our activities include an expert information service, campaigning for political action on tobacco and health, supporting community groups to help their service users affected by tobacco use, building public support and awareness for making Scotland free from tobacco and supporting charities, enforcement agencies, the NHS and others to make their contribution to achieving that goal.