70% of smokers in Wales would like to stop for the sake of their family

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales

This article is old - Published: Thursday, Oct 2nd, 2014

Wednesday marked the start of the 28 quit smoking challenge, Stoptober, and Stop Smoking Wales has launched new figures which show just how much the opinions of loved ones and family members mean to the 690,000 smokers in Wales.

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Public Health Wales, the organisation which runs Stop Smoking Wales, last month launched the biggest stop smoking campaign Wales has ever seen, releasing research that shows only 7% of smokers in Wales know that one in two long term smokers will die of a smoking related disease.

Public Health Wales have now revealed that the research also shows 70% of smokers would like to stop for the sake of their family, while 86% wish they had never started in the first place.

Theresa Evans, 66 from Newport who suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) due to smoking said;

“I’m always telling youngsters on my street to not get hooked as there’s no going back. I can’t even get up the hill without stopping every step to catch my breath. Smoking has ruined my life.”

Since the campaign launched Stop Smoking Wales has seen a marked uplift in appointments and thousands of people have applied online for a Stoptober quit pack.

As part of the campaign Stop Smoking Wales have recruited ‘local heroes’ from across Wales who have all pledged to take part in the 28 day quit attempt and share their progress along the way.

Local hero, Simon Wedge, 30 and a Student Environmental Health Officer for Caerphilly Council, has been smoking since he was a teenager. Simon said;

“When I wake up each morning coughing I wonder, why? I’ve got a son and I want to quit for him, he’s worried I will die if I continue smoking.

“I’ve promised I’ll give up ahead of my next birthday which is in October, so the timing is perfect. This time I really want to give up for good with the support of Stop Smoking Wales.”

Dr Julie Bishop, consultant in public health at Public Health Wales, said:

“Campaigns like Stoptober are a great opportunity to have a go at quitting while you are supported by lots of other people who are doing the same thing. There is a lot of help and support available and we encourage smokers to take the opportunity on the 1 October to give it a go.”

To take part in Stoptober, to register for a free Don’t Be The One booklet on quitting, or for free advice and support from Stop Smoking Wales, visit www.stopsmokingwales.com or call 0800 085 2219.

Dr Julie Bishop: “Campaigns like Stoptober are a great opportunity to have a go at quitting while you are supported by lots of other people who are doing the same thing. There is a lot of help and support available and we encourage smokers to take the opportunity on the 1 October to give it a go.”