‘Take the leap and make this week the start of your smoke-free life!’  This is the campaign message for this year’s national No Smoking Day on Wednesday 14 March.

Every year, more than a million people in the UK quit smoking on No Smoking Day. Local NHS Stop Smoking Services will be providing information, support and advice to those who wish to quit.

Laura Wardak, from the Oxfordshire Smoking Advice Service, said: “If you are thinking about making 2012 the year that you become smoke-free, give yourself the greatest chance of success by being properly prepared:

• Choose a quit day that will be stress-free
• Seek advice from an NHS Stop Smoking Adviser – Advisers are based in health centres, GP surgeries and some pharmacies
• Consider using Nicotine Replacement Therapy, Champix or Zyban to help you manage your cravings
• Enlist the support of family and friends
• Keep busy and if possible stay in a non-smoking environment as much as possible
• Take it one day at a time – don’t worry about tomorrow or next week
• Think positively – remember quitting will bring real benefits to your health, lifestyle and pocket

 Research shows that you are up to four times more likely to quit smoking if you go to your local NHS Stop Smoking Service, and over three and a half thousand smokers quit with the support of the Oxfordshire Smoking Advice Service last year.”

For further information about No Smoking Day or the local Oxfordshire NHS Stop Smoking Services please contact the Oxfordshire Smoking Advice Service on 0845 40 80 300.