Page updated: 03 Dec 2010
‘Quit for Quids’ in the run up to Christmas
Coronation Street star Samia Smith this week launched 'Quit for Quids' to highlight the money that people in Trafford could save if they kick their smoking habit before Christmas.
With the average packet of cigarettes costing over £6 a day, a regular smoker could save £186 in a month, or £2,232 in one year, by stopping smoking - which could fund a
luxury getaway for Christmas 2011.
Samia, who plays Maria Connor in Coronation Street, was keen to support the campaign after her father, who was a smoker, tragically passed away from cancer of the oesophagus last year. Samia has also enlisted the support of her mum, Patsy, who has pledged to try to quit smoking before Christmas.
Patsy, who has smoked around 10 cigarettes a day for more than 20 years, visited her local NHS stop smoking service this week to begin her smokefree journey.
Patsy said: “I’ve been trying to quit for years now but I really want to do it this time for the grandkids. This is the first time I’ve tried using a stop smoking service. I was a bit nervous about going at first but the advisor I saw was really friendly and has offered me loads of support.”
You can track Patsy’s quit journey at www.quitforquids.co.uk.
Samia said: “I’ve been really concerned about my mum smoking for years so I’m really pleased she has decided that it’s time for her to try to stop. I am so proud of her and I will be encouraging her and supporting her every step of the way.
“I’ve grown up seeing the effects of smoking on my dad’s health and I know what it’s like to lose a family member to a smoking-related disease.”
She and her mum joined Bruce Forsyth lookalike Paul Carter to launch the campaign in central Manchester with a game of Play Your Cards Right to highlight the savings to be made by quitting smoking.
Abdul Razzaq, director of public health for Trafford, said: “’Quit for Quids’ is about engaging with people who smoke in the run up to Christmas and showing them that they can have a healthier, happier lifestyle if they stop smoking, and perhaps a richer one too. I’d encourage anyone who wants to quit to contact their local NHS stop smoking service, as, with their help, you are four times more likely to quit.”
If you want to quit, contact NHS Trafford’s stop smoking service on 0300 456 2400, or e-mail stopsmoking.trafford@nhs.net. A team of dedicated advisors is on hand to offer practical help and support for those trying to stop smoking.