Tuesday 25 February 2014
Health and Social Services Department Media Release
The British Heart Foundation's National No Smoking Day campaign has been launched recently in the Bailiwick. Posters and leaflets have been sent out encouraging organisations and individuals to get involved. Anyone who is a smoker is being asked to try to make one day smokefree on the 12 March 2014.
After just 24 hours without smoking your lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris. You will save money too, enough for a new album download or a new lipstick.
Dr Stephen Bridgman, Director of Public Health said "Smoking is still the most important preventable cause of premature death and ill health on the island, and going smokefree is the best thing anyone can do to improve their health now and in the future".
In a recent local survey 96% of people questioned believed the law banning smoking in public places has been good for both the health of the general public and personal health.
There will be a Quitline Pop-up Shop at 22 Smith Street from 8 March to 14 March 2014, offering support to smokers who want to use this as a launch date to quitting for good.
People who have already achieved the goal of going smokefree are asked to share their inspirational story by writing it on a paper brick in the V for Victory wall. You can join in by emailing Mandy Austin, at MAustin@hssd.gov.gg to request your brick and once returned it will appear on the Victory wall in the Pop-up shop or in the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
For further information on smoking cessation contact Quitline on 233170 email Quitline@hssd.gov.gg or visit www.gov.gg/quitline. Balloons, posters and leaflets are also available for anyone who wants to join in the battle against cigarettes in their place of work, club, group or society. For more information about the No-Smoking Day campaign or the Victory Wall, contact the Health Promotion unit on 707311.
