Smokers in Bexley are being urged to prepare to battle and attempt to give up cigarettes for good on No Smoking Day, on Wednesday (March 12).

Around one in five adults still smoke in Bexley. Studies show that two thirds of smokers want to quit, but just find it too difficult to stay off cigarettes.

This is because the nicotine in tobacco is highly addictive and creates powerful urges to smoke. With the right knowledge about why you smoke and how to access effective help to stop, there is every chance that the next time you try to stop you will succeed.

Smokers are twice as likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes and have a very high risk of developing cancer.

The annual No Smoking Day campaign is run by the British Heart Foundation, which is encouraging everyone to Fight for Every Heartbeat and improve their heart health.

Stopping smoking is the best decision anyone can make to improve their personal wellbeing and increase their life expectancy.

This year’s No Smoking Day has a ‘V for Victory’ theme, which is set to inspire hundreds of thousands of smokers to win the fight against cigarettes.

The campaign will help smokers on the road to victory, providing information, support and encouragement to get a battle plan together so they are in the best possible position to make a successful quit attempt on the day.

Bexley Stop Smoking Service will be on the Health on Wheels Mobile Quit Bus outside Morrison Supermarket in Erith on No Smoking Day, Wednesday 12 March to inspire quitters and help them on the road to victory. Come and set your Quit Date on No Smoking Day. You are never too old and it is never too late to make up your mind to stop.

Dr Nada Lemic, Director of Public Health for Bexley said: “No Smoking Day is a great opportunity for us to encourage and support smokers in Bexley to quit alongside thousands of other people right across the UK.

“We know that quitting can be difficult but we want to reassure smokers that effective, free support is available to them and that they can win the battle against cigarettes.

“There’s a much higher chance of succeeding with support from an expert who understands what you are going through, which is why Bexley Stop Smoking Service is spreading the word to smokers about the range of services and resources available locally to them.

"Our service is crucial to helping smokers on the road to victory and towards a healthier and wealthier smoke-free life.”

All Bexley GP Practices and some pharmacies in the borough have specially trained Stop Smoking Advisors who can also offer effective help to quit.

Call the Stop Smoking Team today on 0800 783 2514 for details and make this a No Smoking Day to remember.

For more information visit www.smokefreebexley.co.uk or nosmokingday.org.uk