SMOKERS in Warrington are being urged to access free support to quit smoking as new statistics reveal that 45 people a day die of cardiovascular disease (CVD) caused by smoking.
LiveWire and Warrington Borough Council are actively encouraging smokers to access free support to help quit the habit.
The statistics from Public Health England (PHE), show that there are more than 16,500 deaths a year in England related to smoking caused by CVD.
CVD includes all diseases of the heart and circulation – including heart attacks and strokes. It is usually associated with the build-up of fatty deposits clogging up the arteries, known as atherosclerosis, that can block the flow of blood to vital organs and eventually cause fatal heart attacks and strokes.
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease by a quarter (24%) and doubles the risk of heart attack or stroke.
The disease is one of the main causes of death and disability in the country and quitting has been identified as the single best thing a smoker can do to protect their heart.
Smoking prevalence in Warrington is currently 14% overall but in some areas, the percentage of smokers is much higher.
Paul Roberto, senior LiveWire advisor for stop smoking, said. “If you currently smoke, quitting is the single best thing you can do for your health, and you can gain free support and advice from LiveWire’s stop smoking service.
“Research shows that two thirds of smokers want to quit and LiveWire can help you to achieve this. We offer free support and advice all year round to help you lead a healthier life. It doesn’t matter if you have tried before and it didn’t quite work out, you can access support as many times as you need.
“Don’t go through your quit journey alone. Join together with friends, family and colleagues to support each other through your quit attempt.”
The latest hard hitting campaign from PHE coincides with the first year when all cigarettes sold in the UK will be in standard packs, with all attractive branding removed. The packs, which will be mandatory from May, feature graphic picture and text health warnings, several of which illustrate how smoking causes CVD and death.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, executive board member for public health and wellbeing, said: “With support from LiveWire’s services, many smokers can and do quit successfully.
“I urge anyone in Warrington who is thinking about quitting smoking to use the New Year as a new beginning and mark January 2017 as the month they become smoke free for good.”
To contact LiveWire’s stop smoking service for free support and advice call 0300 003 0818.
