More quitters becoming smoke free

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The number of people in Doncaster quitting cigarettes by using the Yorkshire Smokefree service has increased by more than a quarter in the past year.

In 2015/16 1338 people stopped smoking, a big increase on 2014/15 when 1058 people quit.

It comes as Yorkshire Smokefree is taking part in the national ‘Be clear on cancer’ campaign. This runs for fourteen weeks between 14 July and 16 October and focuses on respiratory symptoms.

In Yorkshire and Humber lung cancer rates are above the national average and have increased significantly over recent years particularly among women. Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer and is responsible for more than 85% of cases.

Simon Lister, Service Manager, Yorkshire Smoke Free said: “During the campaign we’ll be asking all of our clients if they’ve had a cough for the last 3 weeks. If so we’ll be signposting them to their GP, as early diagnosis of lung cancer is very important in terms of survival rates.”

Yorkshire Smokefree is run by South West Yorkshire NHS Foundation Trust, who are commissioned by Doncaster Council to run stop smoking services.

Lisa Swainston is Stronger Communities Wellbeing Manager at Doncaster Council and was a smoker for over 20 years before recently quitting using Yorkshire Smokefree’s services.

She said: “I have quit for just over a month now. My official support has now ended but I am confident in knowing that the Yorkshire Smokefree website, Twitter, facebook and advisors are still all there at the end of a telephone line or a click away. I cannot believe how far I have come in such a short space of time – and you could too!”

Councillor Pat Knight, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “This is encouraging news and I am pleased to see more people in Doncaster quitting. Smoking is a big concern and I would encourage smokers to access Yorkshire Smokefree’s services.”

For more information visit www.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk

More quitters becoming smoke free

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