Smoking accounts for almost 1,000 deaths every year in the city and 25 % of people in Liverpool smoke – campaign saw an 86% increase in referrals to SmokeFree Liverpool. Tony McDonough reports.

A public health campaign launched in Liverpool in January has already persuaded almost 500 people to give up smoking.

Smoking accounts for almost 1,000 deaths every year in Liverpool and 25 % of people in the city smoke.

Kick the Ciggies – http://kicktheciggies.com – and Chuck the Ciggies – http://chucktheciggies.com – launched in the new year targeting 30 to 60 year old men and women who want to give up smoking but lack the confidence to do so.

The men’s campaign was themed around football while the women’s featured local ladies talking about how they had given up.

Almost 15,000 people watched a series of videos produced for the campaign, which included Liverpool FC legend Jamie Carragher and actress Gemma Brodrick giving tips, advice and encouragement on giving up.

The online advertising campaign resulted in an 86% increase in referrals to SmokeFree Liverpool, a free service which provides one to one support and access to medicines that fight cravings.

There was also a 38% increase in the number of phone calls the service received.

A total of 495 people set a quit date with SmokeFree Liverpool in January 2017 – 220 up on the average for previous months.

But the actual figure could be as high as 1,760 because research shows that for every person that contacts SmokeFree Liverpool, another seven will try to give up without using the service.

Now, other smokers are being urged to try and quit on National No Smoking Day on Wednesday, March 8.

SmokeFree Liverpool will be at Asda Walton from 10am-12 midday and Williamson Square in the city centre from 9:30am – 6pm with staff on hand to help people quit.

One of the success stories is Stephen Poulson, who has given up a 20 year habit smoking 30 hand-rolled cigarettes each day.

He said: “I decided to quit as I had got fed up of waking up and coughing and nicotine stains on my fingers, but I also realised how much money I could save by not smoking.

“I found quitting hard to do at first and the first week was tough however I found it became easier day by day and now I have no thoughts about smoking.”

Councillor Paul Brant, the city council’s cabinet member for health, said: “Our campaign is aimed at showing people that they are not alone and there are lots of different types of support out there to help them quit.

“It is also good for your pocket as well as your health, as people who give up smoking save an average of around £2,000 per year.”