Smoking Ban Encourages Millions to Quit

LONDON, March 11/PRNewswire/ --

- One in Five Smokers Plan to Quit on No Smoking Day

A quarter (23 per cent) of all smokers have cut down since the
introduction of smoke-free legislation and millions more plan to quit
altogether, new research suggests.

The study shows almost one in five smokers plans to stop
tomorrow on No Smoking Day (12 March), with the ban proving a key factor in
triggering quit attempts.

Conducted by YouGov to mark the 25th annual No Smoking Day
event, the research indicates over 2.25 million people will take part, making
it the biggest No Smoking Day for years.

This year's campaign, The Great No Smoking Day Challenge, sees
events taking place across the UK, with local stop smoking services,
employers, GPs and others providing help, support and advice to those that
are ready to stop.

GMTV's resident doctor Hilary Jones added: "Quitting can be
the single most beneficial step a smoker can take to improve their health.
It's a habit that kills around half of all long-term smokers, but the good
news is that quitting starts to reverse the damage almost immediately.

"It's fantastic to see so many people committing to quit on No
Smoking Day. If you'd like to stop, join the millions of smokers ready to
change their lives for the better on 12 March."

No Smoking Day chief executive Dan Tickle added: "If you're
ready to quit, there's never been a better time. Sign up for the Challenge
and you can raise money to support your favourite charity while you quit -and we'll send you free supportive text or email messages.

"But don't forget the free local help that's available. Get
help from your stop smoking service and you're up to four times more likely
to succeed."

To sign up to take The Great No Smoking Day Challenge, or to
find your nearest stop smoking service go to http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk.

Notes to editors

- For photographs of Dr Hilary Jones, Dan Tickle, or for The
Great No Smoking Day Challenge graphics, contact the No Smoking Day
campaign team (details below).

- Case studies of celebrity and real-life quitters are
available from the No Smoking Day campaign team (details below).

- All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.
Total sample size was 2,126 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 21st

- 25th February 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have
been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

- No Smoking Day is organised by a charity of the same name run
by four full time staff. The charity aims to help people who want to stop
smoking by creating a supportive environment for them, and by
highlighting the many sources of help available to people who want to
quit.

- ISDN line available for interviews

http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk

Source: www.nosmokingday.org.uk

For further information, contact Vishnee Sauntoo, Campaign Manager or Joyce Chia, Campaign Officer on +44(0)20-7739-5110 or email: vishnee@nosmokingday.org.uk. Out of office press mobile: +44(0)7770-657-241.

2008-03-10 19:05:12 0308925 PRNEWSWIRE