This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New campaign to encourage smokers to quit
10/10/2005
A new campaign to encourage people to stop smoking will feature personal testimonies of ex-smokers who, often having tried several times before, finally cracked it with the help of local stop smoking services.
The campaign includes television ads, a magazine 'Aspire to Stop Smoking' for those smokers that are contemplating giving up, and for those smokers ready for action the publication 'How to Stop Smoking and Stay Stopped' which provides a step-by-step guide to quitting.
Health Minister Andy Kerr announced the launch ahead of chairing NHS Borders annual review. The Minister also officially opened Hawick hospital which is based on a design selected by a panel of staff, patients and members of the public.
Mr Kerr said:
"We don't want to get at smokers, we want to help smokers.
"Scotland will be the first part of the UK to become completely smoke free in all enclosed public places from 26 March 2006. An incentive to stop smoking is the fact the Scotland's public places will be smoke-free from next March.
"We know that in Scotland 70 per cent of Scots don't smoke and of those who do 70 per cent want to give up.
"That is why we announced an additional £5 million earlier this year to support people who want to kick the habit. This funding will increase to £11 million by 2007-08.
"Stopping smoking is the single biggest step anyone can take to improving their health. However, we know how difficult taking that first step can be. Having services out in the community - in places where people live and work will make that step easier.
"This new campaign will help encourage more Scots to try and give up smoking.
"The adverts use real life case studies of people who have successfully given up smoking with the help and support of local services."
Commenting on opening Hawick hospital, Mr Kerr said:
"This is an excellent example of modern services being delivered locally for patients.
"I am particularly please that, as well as clinicians and other staff, patients have been involved in the work to deliver this new hospital.
"It is a real example of working with patients I want to encourage and develop not just in NHS Borders but in other parts of the country as well.
Commenting on NHS Borders annual review, Mr Kerr said:
"The annual reviews will highlight success and give credit where credit is due. But I also want to use these reviews to scrutinise local performance, challenge where necessary, and drive forward further improvement.
"I believe that NHS Borders can build on its previous success and further improve services and reduce waiting times for patients in their area.
"I want to see an NHS which is better, quicker, closer and safer. These reviews will help us deliver that."
The NHS Health Scotland stop smoking campaign includes TV ads, a magazine Aspire to Stop Smoking for those smokers that are contemplating giving up, and for those smokers ready for action the publication How to Stop Smoking and Stay Stopped which provides a step by step guide to quitting. There is also a DVD, which people can obtain free from smokeline to give them more in-depth information on NRT and what to expect if they attend a local stop smoking service.
The annual reviews will cover key areas such as: activity and efficiency, waiting times, regional planning, public involvement, finance and future plans.