Isle residents urged to put life before smoking

Smokers are being urged to take a bold step and give up cigarettes for good.
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Health professionals across Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust are calling on smokers to turn their attention to their health for No Smoking Day, which takes place on Wednesday March 9.

Dr Mikail Yasso, clinical lead for respiratory for the Trust, said: “We understand a lot of smokers want to stop smoking but many find the task too daunting. No Smoking Day is the perfect opportunity to start a new, healthier, smoke-free chapter.”

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This year’s No Smoking Day aims to encourage people to be proud of being a quitter. With many health benefits of quitting smoking including younger-looking skin, whiter teeth, more energy and increasing your chances of living for longer.

Dr Yasso said: “Smoking damages the lining of your arteries, leading to a build-up of fatty material which narrows the artery. This can cause angina, a heart attack or a stroke.

“Smoking actually doubles your risk of having a heart attack and makes you twice as likely of dying from coronary heart disease than people who’ve never smoked. The good news is that after only one year of not smoking, your risk is reduced by half. After stopping for 15 years, your risk is similar to that of a non-smoker.”

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

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Mums-to-be and their partners are also being urged to kick the habit. Amanda Skipworth, stop smoking champion and senior healthcare assistant at the antenatal clinic at Scunthorpe hospital, said: “It’s crucial babies aren’t around people smoking while in the womb and after they are born.

“Smoking can cause growth restrictions in babies. The carbon monoxide can restrict the blood flow to the baby and stops them getting the right nutrients from the placenta which can ultimately cause stillbirths.”

Help is at hand for people wanting to quit as follows:

For support quitting in North Lincolnshire, Smokefreelife hold weekly sessions helping those who’d like to quit. To sign up for a 12 week course, which includes eight weeks’ worth of free nicotine replacement therapy, just go along on any Tuesday from 8.30am till 2pm to the Coffee Bean restaurant at Scunthorpe General Hospital.

Alternatively, visit Stop smoking to sign up for Smokefree support from the NHS.