Airedale Hospital support group helped us to quit cigarettes (From Ilkley Gazette)

Airedale Hospital support group helped us to quit cigarettes

7:00am Sunday 10th March 2013 in Local news By Claire Lomax

Over half the people taking part in a new support group at Airedale Hospital have successfully quit their habit in time for national Stop Smoking Day on Wednesday.

The stop smoking group has been running for almost four months and offers nicotine replacement therapy, medication and support to help people quit smoking.

Judith Craven, foundation training programme co-ordinator, is one member of the support group to have successfully quit, despite having smoked since the age of 16.

“Stopping smoking has been the best thing I’ve ever done. After 11 weeks it’s incredible, I feel a different person. My energy levels have doubled,” she said.

Kate Beck, education centre administrator, kicked the habit last October after smoking for 15 years.

She said: “My husband and three children hated me smoking and were always asking me to quit, but I never seemed to manage it.”

During her first appointment with the stop smoking service, Kate was shocked that her carbon monoxide level reading was so high, making her even more determined to stop.

She said: “Within a week of my first appointment my carbon monoxide levels had dropped to that of a non-smoker.

“At the beginning I did find it very hard, but I stuck with it and I feel very proud of what I have done. I no longer use nicotine patches and I am now a non-smoker.”

The stop smoking service is staging a display next week in Airedale Hospital. Contact the service for help and advice on (01274) 202793 or visit smokefree.nhs.uk A new national campaign is being launched on No Smoking Day – Swap Fags for Swag – which is all about what smokers will gain when they quit.

As well as improved health, they’ll have extra money to spend on whatever they like. Visit nosmokingday.org.uk for details.