More and more people in Yorkshire and the Humber region are giving up smoking with help from the NHS.
New figures released by the NHS Information Centre show that 26,833 people in the region kicked the habit between April and December 2011, an increase of 598 on the same period in 2010.
Director for public health for NHS North of England, Paul Johnstone, said:
“NHS stop smoking services are doing a tremendous job. The evidence shows us that people are four times more likely to quit for good if they use the NHS Stop Smoking Service. So if you’re trying to stop smoking please remember you’re not alone.
“These numbers are absolutely fantastic. If you are a smoker giving up is the greatest single step you can take to improve your health.”
A further 50,435 people in the region pledged to give up smoking between April and December last year by setting a date to quit with their NHS Stop Smoking Service.
For information about your local NHS Stop Smoking Service and to order your free NHS Quit Kit visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree or call 0800 022 4 332.
The free NHS Quit Kits are packed with items to help people stop smoking, including a week’s free trial of nicotine patches, calming audio downloads, and a tool to help smokers work out how much money they are saving by quitting.
To discourage children from taking up smoking the Government has launched a consultation which will look at the benefits of passing a law that makes cigarette companies sell cigarettes in plain packs. For more information and to take part in the consultation visit: http://consultations.dh.gov.uk/tobacco/standardised-packaging-of-tobacco-products/consult_view .
For further information contact:
Carl Jessop
NHS Yorkshire and the Humber, part of NHS North of England
0113 2952111
