Date: 08/03/2010
The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF), which co-ordinates No Smoking Day in Northern Ireland, is encouraging smokers across the country to kick the habit on Wednesday 10th March 2010.
Bernie Neeson, Stop Smoking Specialist, UCF, is herself celebrating ten years smokefree on No Smoking Day and said, “As a former 30-a-day smoker I understand the challenges facing smokers. I tried to quit a few times and then I went to UCF’s Stop Smoking Clinic. They helped me learn about my smoking habits, empowering me to take control of my addiction and within weeks I had stopped smoking for good.
“I have now trained as a UCF Stop Smoking Specialist and a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist so I can use my experience and expertise to help other smokers give up and more importantly stay stopped. Myself and my colleagues have helped thousands of smokers give up by providing hints and tips on how to break the smoking habit and showing them how to adopt effective and realistic techniques to cope with cravings. By using the support available from UCF on No Smoking Day and throughout the year smokers can significantly increase their chance of success.”
On No Smoking Day UCF will be providing an interactive ‘STOP SHOP’ for smokers at Connswater Shopping Centre, Newtownards Road, Belfast from 10am – 1pm. Shoppers will be encouraged to hand over their cigarettes in exchange for a free ‘STOP SHOP’ goodie pack and on-the-spot support and advice. There will also be carbon monoxide testing by UCF and fitness advice from Avoneil Leisure Centre, with free gym passes awarded to motivated quitters. To help smokers distract themselves and keep their hands busy during their quit attempt, an origami expert will teach the art of paper folding and smokers can enjoy a free hand massage from a qualified beauty therapist.
On the day UCF will also provide support for staff at BT, May Street Belfast, Tyco International, 195 Airport Road West Belfast, Royal Mail Northern Ireland Mail Centre Mallusk and at St. Gerard’s Education Resource Centre, Upper Springfield Road, Belfast where staff and pupils can receive advice and support on their quit attempt.
UCF provide year round weekly stop smoking services in a number of settings including GP practices, community centres, schools and workplaces. These services are funded by the Public Health Agency (Eastern Area) and are free and confidential. Call the smokers helpline on 0800 85 85 85 for further information.
UCF is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Novartis Nicotinell for No Smoking Day 2010.
Contact: For further information please contact:
Pauline Wylie, PR & Events Manager, UCF on
028 9066 3281 / 07810 371118 or
Derval McVerry, PR Officer, Ulster Cancer Foundation on
028 9066 3281 / 07812 525531
