No Smoking Day: stop for one day or maybe longer...

This year's national No Smoking Day is Wednesday 13 March and the goal is simple: to encourage people who smoke to stop for a day (in the hope of stopping for good).  

With the health benefits clearer than ever and the financial pluses obvious, stopping smoking for good is one of the best things you will ever do for your health.  

The Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) which manages and commissions health and care services in our area, has already pledged to help local smokers quit the habit in line with the Government's plans to make the country smoke free by 2023.  

By giving up smoking, you protect your body from the harm of dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes and other smoking products. Chemicals such as carbon monoxide, tar and nicotine are found in smoking products and can cause cancer, make breathing conditions worse, and increase your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. 

Chief Medical Officer at BOB ICB, Dr Rachael de Caux said,: ''Local councils, NHS services and other health and prevention teams across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire are already working hard to offer advice, counselling, and practical ways to help you quit for good. 

''The good news is that when you do stop smoking, you give your lungs the chance to repair and you can breathe easier. There are lots of other benefits too – and they start almost immediately.'' 

Take a look at stop smoking support services near you: 

Buckinghamshire  

In Buckinghamshire around 10% of people regularly smoke tobacco. The goal is to reduce this number to zero in a generation. 

In support of No Smoking Day, the Be Healthy Bucks service offers free, non-judgemental advice on the best way to quit smoking. 

Smokers are three times more likely to quit smoking when they use a local service. Be Healthy Bucks can offer phone, digital, face to face or a combination of support options for up to 12 weeks. In addition, the service offers a range of methods to keeping cravings at bay including Nicotine Replacement Therapy or E-Cigarettes.  

If you are interested and want to quit for good take a look at the Be Healthy Bucks smoking cessation support pages for more information.