Mid Ulster smokers: Get help to stop smoking this New Year

With the holiday season in full swing, minds will soon be turning to New Year’s resolutions and once again quitting smoking will be at the top of many people’s ‘to-do’ list when the clock strikes midnight on 31 December.

By The Newsroom

Published 30th Dec 2014, 09:00 BST

With this in mind, the Public Health Agency (PHA) is encouraging smokers to make a plan, think about what steps they are going to take to stay off tobacco for good, and to seek practical support and advice from a free ‘Stop Smoking Service’.

Gerry Bleakney, Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control with the PHA, said: “In Northern Ireland around 360,000 people aged 16 and over smoke, and, sadly, one in every two smokers dies early because of their smoking habit.

“New Year is a time when many people decide to quit smoking and while some might be able to do it with very little support, others find that planning ahead and making use of the support services that are available can really help them make the decision permanent.

“There are over 650 free stop smoking services across Northern Ireland in pharmacies; GP surgeries; hospitals; community centres and workplaces that can help your quit attempt.”