Press release : 1 in 6 smokers quit on No Smoking Day
05 May ’10
For immediate release
1 in 6 smokers quit on No Smoking Day
Survey * results show that 1 in 6 smokers, that is three quarters of a million people, made a quit attempt on No Smoking Day (10 March) .
No Smoking Day President and TV star, Duncan Bannatyne commented on the survey findings: “It’s fantastic that so many smokers responded positively to the campaign’s call to break free from their addiction. Quitting smoking is one of smartest things you can do for your health and finances.
“And now that the charity has launched the WeQuit Facebook application and dedicated website any day can be No Smoking Day. We feel that quitting is a challenge that should be inspiring and enjoyable rather than a chore, and it’s this attitude that makes WeQuit unique.”
WeQuit offers year-round encouragement and support by using the power of Facebook to keep those around smokers involved, make quitting more fun, more social and more accountable than ever before. The charity hopes that WeQuit will complement the free help and support that is already available to help smokers quit and recommends that anybody ready to quit should go to their local NHS Stop Smoking Service where they are four times more likely to succeed.
This year soul star Lemar became an ambassador for No Smoking Day: “I am thrilled that my first No Smoking Day resulted in so many smokers quitting. If one of those people quit smoking due to my support for the campaign, then I believe that my role as an Ambassador is very worthwhile.”
Hundreds of events took place across the
Duncan Bannatyne went beyond the call of duty this year to promote the theme of the 2010 No Smoking Day when he gamely dressed up in drag to star in a spoof version of Queen’s ‘I want to break free’ video.
It’s never too late to quit, go to wequit.co.uk for advice and support.
For further information and/or images of Duncan Bannatyne, Lemar, events that took part across the UK or the break free graphics contact No Smoking Day ‘s Pr and Marketing Manager, Laura Luxton on tel: 020 7739 5110 or 07770 657241 (out of office hours) or email at: laura@nosmokingday.org.uk.
Notes to editors
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*Omnibus survey of 4008 respondents carried out by GfK NOP
Case studies of celebrity and real-life quitters are available.
You can view the hilarious ‘I want to break free’ video starring Duncan Bannatyne from the home page of our new website dedicated to smokers who want to quit at www.wequit.org.uk
WeQuit Facebook application was launched on No Smoking Day and is available at www.wequit.co.uk/facebook . WeQuit allows smokers to create rewards for success, forfeits for failure, or even try and raise money for charity with a sponsored quit. However they choose to motivate the attempt, WeQuit uses the power of Facebook to help make quitting fun.
About No Smoking Day
No Smoking Day is organised by a charity of the same name run by four full time staff. Based in
No Smoking Day aims to help people who want to stop smoking by creating a supportive environment for them, and by highlighting the many sources of help available to people who want to quit.
Now in its 27th year it is a firm fixture in the