Rise in number of smokers stubbing it out (From The Bolton News)

Rise in number of smokers stubbing it out

6:13pm Tuesday 19th February 2008 in

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HUNDREDS of smokers sought help in stubbing it out following the introduction of the smoking ban.

The number of people contacting Bolton's Stop Smoking Service soared by 36 per cent between July and December last year, compared to the same six months in 2006.

However, figures show only the same number were successful in their bid to give up.

The ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces, introduced on July 1 last year, is thought to have provided the catalyst for many people hoping to give up.

A total of 2,699 patients were seen by staff in the six months after the introduction of the ban last year, while just 1,982 people contacted experts for help between July and December in 2006.

Adrian Butterworth, manager of Bolton's Stop Smoking Service, said: "The smokefree regulations have brought many more people seeking help to our services.

"Quitting smoking is not easy but with perseverance and free support from Bolton Stop Smoking Services, a lifelong quit is possible."

Despite the massive increase in the number of people seeking help from the service, the number of actual quitters is exactly the same as in the same six months the year before.

A total of 957 managed to successfully stub it out for four weeks or more, according to the latest statistics.

Experts are determined to encourage more people to stop smoking and now have 26 stop smoking clinics throughout the borough.

New clinics have opened at the Westhoughton, Waters Meeting, Crompton Tonge Fold Health Centres.

Mr Butterworth said: "To try to help as many Bolton residents as possible, we have put on more stop smoking clinics, some on the evenings and at weekends where the latest treatments and advice can be obtained from experienced stop smoking advisors.

"This will increase the chances of quitting by 20 times compared to going cold turkey."

Mr Butterworth added that latest statistics showed half of patients with the service who managed to quit smoking for four weeks were still not smoking after 12 months.

For more information about Bolton Stop Smoking Service call 01204 462345.