No-Smoking Day

Today, the second Wednesday in March, is No-Smoking Day in the UK. Smoking is linked to many health risks, is expensive and costs the NHS millions of pounds every year. As reported in Health Insurance News UK, smoking increases the cost of your private medical insurance premiums quite significantly too. No-Smoking Day provides a yearly platform to highlight these issues and encourage people to give up.

According to the official No-Smoking Day website:

'No Smoking Day is the UK's leading health campaign for smokers who want to stop. This website has all the information and resources you need to quit smoking, or to organise your own event on No Smoking Day.'

As well as the well known health risks associated with smoking the No-Smoking Day website points out the more superficial and cosmetic side-effects of smoking:

-Premature ageing of the skin
-Stains on teeth and hands
-Smelly hair, breath and clothes

Talking about these with young smokers sometimes has a strong impact as ill health still seems very far away to them whereas issues associated with their appearance are very important.

There will be many events nationwide today that will help raise awareness of the dangers of smoking. Individuals and businesses will be getting involved in the community to help people give up:

Businesses in Devonport will be hosting smoking advice road shows . Companies in the area 'know that helping someone to give up smoking is the single most important thing they can do for customers' health and it helps their business too',...

This evening Duncan Bannatyne from Dragon's Den will be awarding £2,000 to a school child in a competition to find the best idea for helping parents give up smoking.

According to the No-Smoking Day organisers, over a million people give up on No-Smoking Day. A month later 20% of people are still not smoking. Research shows that 75% of people who smoke wish they didn't and the number of people who wish they hadn't ever started is even higher. This shows that there is a high level of motivation out there and the main aim of No-Smoking day is to capitalise on that desire to give up.

You can sign up on the website to link up with an email buddy who is also giving up. The idea is that you will encourage and provide support for each other.

If you are thinking of giving up, today would be a great day to start!