Smokers in Knowsley are being urged to give up smoking this No Smoking Day, 8 March, and improve their health – both heart and brain health.
New research released to mark the annual awareness day shows those who smoke are more likely to develop dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, as smoking harms the vascular system (heart and blood vessels) and the brain.
Smoking has been identified as one of twelve risk factors associated with an increased risk of dementia. Up to 40% of dementia cases are linked to health, lifestyle and environmental risk factors, yet, data from Alzheimer’s Research UK show only a third of UK adults know there are things they can do to help reduce their risk of dementia, and that stopping smoking is one of them.
Support to help you quit
Smokefree Knowsley, Knowsley’s stop smoking service, offers specialist support for Knowsley residents to quit smoking, including those who are pregnant.
On 8 March the team’s friendly advisors will be providing support and advice to anyone wanting to quit smoking at;
- Morrisons, Kirkby, 1pm to 4pm
- Whiston Hospital, 1pm to 4pm
You can also find out more about services available, or access support from Knowsley Stop Smoking Service by calling 0151 426 7462, texting quit to 61825 (normal network charge) or visiting the website: www.smokefreeknowsley.org.uk
If you prefer you can use your local pharmacy stop smoking services. Please contact your local pharmacy for more information.
Cllr Christine Bannon, Knowsley Council Cabinet Member for Health, said:
“Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health – to protect both your heart and your brain. It has been shown to reduce the risk of developing dementia, heart disease, cancer and stroke. You experience health benefits within weeks of stopping, breathing easier and feeling fitter.
“No Smoking Day is the perfect time to quit smoking when thousands of other people are stopping too. Even if you’ve tried before and didn’t manage don’t give up on quitting because you can do it. Many smokers try several times before they succeed.
“Smokers are three times more likely to succeed in quitting with help from a trained professional than with willpower alone. Contact Smokefree Knowsley for free specialist support and advice to help you on your journey to stop smoking.”
For support, advice and free tools to quit smoking from Knowsley Stop Smoking Service call 0151 426 7462, text quit to 61825 (normal network charge) or visit the website: www.smokefreeknowsley.org.uk