Council urges smokers to quit on No Smoking Day

While studies show that two-thirds of smokers want to quit, nearly one in five UK adults continue to smoke, including 22% in Northern Ireland.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Thomas Hogg said: “Although the majority of smokers want to stop smoking, it is understandable many find the task too daunting.

“No Smoking Day is the perfect opportunity to inspire smokers in Antrim and Newtownabbey to quit for good. With support, smokers are more likely to succeed in their quit attempt.

“Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council staff will be out in force on No Smoking Day, educating smokers on the range of local services and resources available to them.”

This year’s No Smoking Day theme is ‘Proud to be a Quitter’.

The annual campaign is run by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and encourages hundreds of thousands of smokers to make a quit attempt on No Smoking Day.

Dr Mike Knapton, Associate Medical Director at the BHF, said: “Giving up smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health, and that’s why the British Heart Foundation runs No Smoking Day.

“We’re encouraging smokers to mark Wednesday 9 March in their calendars, and take the first step towards a smoke-free life.”

To receive information and support on stopping smoking visit www.nosmokingday.org.uk.