Smoking campaign has Valentine’s Day at its heart
A major campaign to highlight the effect smoking has on loved ones has been launched by Devon County Council, in line with a regional campaign by Smoke Free South West.
Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness, premature death and health inequality in the County, and 1,200 people die prematurely each year from smoking-related illnesses such as coronary heart disease, stroke and many cancers.
The new campaign, being launched to coincide with Valentine’s Day, gives smokers the opportunity to pledge their commitment to quit in a Valentine’s card to their loved ones.
The campaign will be supported through social media, and smokers will be encouraged to post their pledges on Facebook and Twitter. GP surgeries and pharmacies have also been asked to support the campaign and to display the Valentine’s cards for people to make their pledges.
Dr Virginia Pearson, Devon’s Director of Public Health, said: “The serious health problems caused by smoking are well known, including a range of cancers, heart disease and early death, which can have a significant health and emotional impact on the families and loved ones of people who smoke.
“Research tells us that one of the strong motivating factors for people quit smoking is because of the desire to be around for their loved ones, and the most effective messages are those that show the impact smoking has on their family, in particular their children.
“This campaign puts the decision back in the hands of the smokers, and gives them the opportunity to ‘gift’ a longer and healthier life to those who matter to them. That’s a very powerful message.”
The campaign also offers support to stop smoking services, highlighting the fact that you are four times more likely to quit if you do it through a support service.
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Giving up smoking is not easy, but thousands of smokers in Devon have quit. While some people might be able to stop with very little help, support such as the free stop smoking services can significantly increase the chances of quitting successfully.
For more details on Devon Stop Smoking Service visit www.healthpromotiondevon.nhs.uk/stop-smoking/stop-smoking-service
For details on Be there tomorrow campaign see www.betheretomorrow.co.uk
