Wednesday 9th March 2011

Over a hundred people attended Chesterfield's fire station ahead of today's 'Stop Smoking Day' to take part in fun activities but more importantly learn about the dangers of smoking and how to quit the habit.


Here We Go … declaring Chesterfield's No Smoking Day 2011 event officially open are (left to right) Mayor and Mayoress - Councillor and Mrs Keith Morgan, Judith Vincent from the Derbyshire County Stop Smoking Service and Dr David Black, Director of Public Health for NHS Derbyshire County

The day, organised by NHS Derbyshire County and Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service promoted No Smoking Day - the UK's foremost public health event, and one that provides an annual focus for three in every four smokers who want to stop.

Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable disease and premature death. A quarter of smokers die in middle age. Every year, there are 106,000 smoking-related deaths in the UK.

Smoking is also a major cause of accidental death, injury and property damage, with 5,500 house fires attributed to smoking in the UK every year. Statistics show that smokers who seek expert help have a four times greater chance of success than those who do not.

The Derbyshire County Stop Smoking Service offers smokers a choice of routes to a smoke-free future. The service organises group and individual quit sessions, with support from specialist advisers who offer Nicotine Replacement Therapy and other medication to support smokers who want to quit.

Judith Vincent from the Derbyshire County Stop Smoking Service was pleased with how the day wen, saying "More than 130 people turned out which was excellent considering the weather. Everyone we spoke to said they had enjoyed the event, which was organised to mark No Smoking Day in Chesterfield.

"Specialist advisors from the service were there to help any smoker who wanted to quit, and I'm pleased to say we 'signed up' several people who will now receive support and advice from the service to help them give up smoking."

Pupils, staff and volunteers from the town's Parkside Community School provided refreshments for the event, officially opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Chesterfield, and Dr David Black, Director of Public Health for NHS Derbyshire County.

Vanessa Heath, a student support co-ordinator at the 509 pupil school, said, "It went really well - it really was a success. Students and canteen staff from the school made 200 shortbread cookies and we sold them all, and we were busy all day providing tea, coffee and squash."

Among the many displays were posters created by 30 students from the Boythorpe Avenue school on the theme of Awareness of Smoking and Smoking-related Incidents in the Home. The winner of the competition, jointly sponsored by NHS Derbyshire County and the Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, will be announced at a special assembly at the school.

Also represented at the event were Chesterfield Borough Council's health referral scheme, which offered free health checks, the Derbyshire and Derby City Smoke Free Homes initiative, the Derbyshire County and Derby City Smoking in Homes and Cars Initiative, Chesterfield Borough Council’s health and safety department, Nuffield Health Care and NHS Derbyshire County's Waistwise project.

The Derbyshire County Stop Smoking Service offers smokers a choice of routes to a smoke-free future. The service organises group and individual quit sessions, with support from specialist advisers who offer Nicotine Replacement Therapy and other medication to support smokers who want to quit.

More information about Derbyshire County Stop Smoking Service is available by telephoning 0800 085 2299

RECENT STORIES

FIRESERVICE ADVICE ON KEEPING SAFE THIS CHRISTMAS -
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service is launching a campaign to remind local residents to keep safe at Christmas. More...

'FATAL ACCIDENT' ON INFIRMARY ROAD -
3 young people, including a motorcyclist, were killed in the grim weather conditions, outside Chesterfield College this morning. More...

CHIEF FIRE OFFICER SPEAKS TO THE CHESTERFIELD POST -
Bob Currie is the Group Manager of Derbyshire Fire and Rescue and he was present at the incident the whole time. More...

FIRE - "IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE" -
The Chesterfield Post has just left a press conference with Sarah Turner-Saint, (left) Head of Communications More...

HOSPITAL FIRE UPDATE -
Chesterfield Royal Hospital is this morning assessing damage to it's A&E, Fracture Clinic and Main Entrance after fire ripped through the departments last night. More...

HOSPITAL FIRE STATEMENT -
This is the statement issued by Chesterfield Royal Hospital at 23.36 pm tonight: More...

MAJOR FIRE AT CALOW HOSPITAL TONIGHT -
There is a major incident at Chesterfield Royal Hospital tonight with 10 fire engines in attendance. More...

NUISANCE FIRES IN MASTIN MOOR -
Police are appealing for information after Derbyshire Fire service was called to a burning cabin on Worksop Road More...

FIRE KILLS... -
After 4 young children lost their lives in a tragic house fire in Derbyshire earlier this week, the Derbyshire Fire Service has issued safety advice to residents in the area. More...

WINTER DRIVING SAFETY TIPS -
DERBYSHIRE Fire & Rescue Service has given us some advice to help with driving in the hazardous snowy and icy conditions. More...

SNOW WARNING FOR BOILER FLUES -
DERBYSHIRE Fire & Rescue Service is warning people to make sure the flues of their gas boilers are kept clear of snow More...

STAY SAFE IN THE SNOW -
WITH snow covering Chesterfield, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service are urging people to take extra care both in the home and when they are out and about. More...