Health charity ASH Scotland is urging Forth Valley residents to consider giving up smoking this No Smoking Day (Wednesday 8 March 2023) to benefit their health, wellbeing and personal finances.

The charity’s ‘Quit and Win’ campaign is highlighting that giving up smoking brings health benefits such as decreasing the risks of coronary heart disease and lung cancer, after one year and 10 years respectively, by about 50% compared to people who continue to smoke.

New analysis released by the charity also suggests that an average Scottish household containing people who smoke could save £3,308 within 12 months of quitting smoking.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “Tobacco is a major cause of inequalities, and it is more important than ever that people in Forth Valley facing everyday stresses during the cost of living crisis are empowered to access expert smoking cessation support that is freely available from the NHS.

“Quit Your Way Scotland, local stop smoking services and community pharmacies provide free support which can help you to develop a personalised plan and, on No Smoking Day, we are encouraging people in Forth Valley to begin taking vital steps towards a much healthier future by stopping smoking for good.”

The charity’s call is backed by NHS Forth Valley. Dr Jennifer Champion, Acting Director of Public Health, from NHS Forth Valley, said: “Giving up smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your health. It’s never too late to stop smoking and there is lots of help and advice available from our stop smoking service and local pharmacies across Forth Valley.”

Anyone in Forth Valley who has the goal of giving up smoking is can contact NHS Forth Valley’s Stop Smoking service by calling 01786 433293, emailing email at fv.fvstopsmokingservice@nhs.scot or visiting the website www.nhsforthvalley.com/stopsmoking

You can also contact the national stop smoking service Quit Your Way by calling the free helpline on 0800 848484 or create a quit plan at www.quityourway.scot

ASH Scotland is tackling tobacco head-on by campaigning to reduce the harms caused by smoking. To keep updated about the charity’s No Smoking Day activities, follow www.instagram.com/ash.scotland and www.twitter.com/ASHScotland.