Smokers in Sefton are being urged to quit for good starting today, this National No Smoking Day.

Dr Craig Gillespie, local GP and chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “Stopping smoking is the single best thing a smoker can do for their health. Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable deaths in England, accounting for nearly 80,000 each year. One in two smokers will die from a smoking related disease.

“However, it’s good to know that no matter how long you’ve smoked for, no matter how many cigarettes you smoke a day, your health will start to improve as soon as you quit.”

• Twenty minutes after you quit smoking your heart rate and blood pressure will return to normalTwo to three days later your sense of smell and taste will improve
• One year on your risk of having a heart attack will be halved.

Not smoking will also improve your skin, teeth and breath, allowing you to breathe more easily, have more energy, feel less stressed, as well as saving you money. The average smoker will save £128 a month, or £1,500 a year by not smoking.

Dr Rob Caudwell, local GP and chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “Many smokers want to quit but aren’t sure about the best way to go about it. There’s lots of free support on offer and by using the support that’s right for you, you’ll be boosting your chance of quitting.”

Sefton Council offers a service called Smokefree Sefton, a Living Well Sefton partner, to support people that are trying to stop smoking. The programme provides behavioural support combined with up to 12 weeks’ worth of products to help you quit smoking.

For more information about Smokefree Sefton call the team on 0300 100 1000 or visit their website