AM Pledges Support For National Anti-Smoking Campaign

Assembly Member for Wrexham Lesley Griffiths is backing this year’s No Smoking Day, hoping it inspires people in the town to quit smoking for good.

The event takes place on Wednesday 13th March 2013 and offers support to the 750,000 smokers across Wales who attempt to quit on the day.

Smoking is the major public health concern in Wales. It is the largest single cause of avoidable ill health and early death, killing over 5,000 people every year.

This year’s theme is ‘Swap fags for swag’ as focus groups have explained the cost of smoking is one of the key motives for people to quit. Health and family are also high on the list of reasons for stopping but the financial incentive often gives people the final push, with the extra cash they save an added bonus. By well publicising the event and capturing the attention of the media, No Smoking Day can appeal to smokers of all types and spur them into action. The Welsh Government is hoping social media can spread the word too with people able to follow #nosmokingday on Twitter and ‘liking’ the BHF (British Heart Foundation) Wales Facebook page.

No Smoking Day has been annually raising health awareness since 1984 and has helped over 1.5 million smokers quit for good.

The Welsh Government is committed to addressing smoking issues and the risk it has on general public health. Last December large stores and supermarkets in Wales were banned from openly displaying tobacco products at point of sale with smaller shops and tobacconists set to follow in 2015.

Lesley Griffiths said “Everyone is well aware of the health risks associated with smoking.”

“Rather than harass or force people to quit, the main focus of No Smoking Day is to provide the opportunity and offer support to the majority of individuals who want to kick the habit.”

“I hope the event will raise public awareness throughout Wrexham and can provide the catalyst for people in the town to quit smoking once and for all.”