SMOKERS in South Gloucestershire are being urged to kick the habit as part of National No Smoking Day tomorrow.

The plea from South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and South Gloucestershire Council comes as, despite national and local decreases in smoking, it is estimated that around 26,000 adults in the county still smoke.

The habit costs a staggering £47 million on tobacco each year.

South Gloucestershire Council’s adults, housing and public health lead member Cllr Ben Stokes, said: “If you smoke, the single best thing you can do for your health is to quit. Even if you have been smoking for many years, the health benefits will start as soon as you stop.

“With all the support available to help you stop smoking, there has never been a better time to kick the habit. So why not take up the challenge to improve your health and save some money on No Smoking Day?”

Dr Jon Evans, the CCG’s clinical lead for long term conditions, said: “One in two people who smoke will die as a result of illnesses related to smoking and smoking is also associated with a number of conditions which can cause disability such coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attacks, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and multiple types of cancer.

“People from deprived communities are more likely to smoke and this can have a disproportionate impact on their health and wellbeing”.

Resources are also available on the NHS Smokefree website.

South Gloucestershire Council’s Smokefree service is hosting group sessions as part of No Smoking Day to give smokers the chance to join other people trying to quit.

Appointments can be booked by calling 01454 865 502 or emailing smokefree@southglos.gov.uk

Those who take up the challenge can also join in on Twitter using #NoSmokingDay.