Soul star Lemar has become an Ambassador for the charity No Smoking Day.

Thanks to his mother’s strongly held opposition to smoking Lemar has never taken up the habit,  and is all too aware of the damage that smoking causes to people’s lives.  That is why he has welcomed the opportunity to support one of the UK’s leading health campaign for smokers who want to quit - No Smoking Day.

No Smoking Day 2010 takes place on Wednesday 10 March and is the 27^th annual campaign. Each year, nearly one million smokers quit on the Day.

Lemar said: “The campaign message is ‘Break Free'. If, by supporting No Smoking Day, I can help one person to break free from the chains of their smoking addiction, then I believe that my role as an Ambassador will have been worthwhile. I feel that No Smoking Day is the perfect opportunity to provide hope and help to smokers in a non-judgemental way - I’m proud to be a supporter.”

Duncan Bannatyne OBE, President of No Smoking Day, commented: “We’re delighted to have Lemar as an Ambassador for the charity.  His passionate desire to encourage people to become smokefree will, I’m sure, make him a very effective advocate for our work.”

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Note to Editors:

• An electronic copy of the No Smoking Day campaign image is available by emailing laura@nosmokingday.org.uk.

For further information, contact Laura Luxton, PR & Marketing Manager or Veronika Muller, Campaign Assistant on 020 7739 5110 or email: laura@nosmokingday.org.uk

Out of office press mobile:  07770 657 241

For more information visit: nosmokingday.org.uk

No Smoking Day is organised by a charity of the same name run by four full time staff. No Smoking Day aims to help people who want to stop smoking by highlighting the many sources of help available to people who want to quit. In 2009 nearly 1 million smokers gave up smoking on No Smoking Day

Lemar 

(For more images of Lemar, please contact Laura Luxton)

Singer/songwriter Lemar is a two times BRIT Award winner and three times MOBO winner who continues to be one of the most popular artists in the UK.  His greatest hits album 'The Hits' will be released on March 1st, including the Top 10 hits, 'Dance (With U)', 'If There's Any Justice' and 'It's Not That Easy'.  The album will be preceded by the brand new single 'The Way Love Goes' on February 14^th.