Roweena Bassett quits smoking and becomes shoe addict

Oct 11 2009 by Coreena Ford, Sunday Sun

“All in all, quitting smoking changed my life. I’m not dependent on my addiction anymore and am not thinking about my next cigarette. It’s not just my health that’s improved but my confidence and self esteem.”

NHS Stop Smoking Services in the North East are 10 years old this month and have helped 175,000 people to quit in the last decade, some of whom star in the new campaign.

Ailsa Rutter, of Fresh - Smoke Free North East, added: “It’s incredible that so many people who quit now want to share their stories in the hope it will inspire others.

“The overriding message from all of them is that they are loving life smokefree, have more money and energy. Their families are also delighted they’ve quit.”

MPs vote on the new ban

SMOKING campaigners are urging MPs to vote in favour of measures to put tobacco out of sight in shops.

MPs will also vote on restricting cigarette vending machines when the Health Bill comes before Parliament tomorrow and Fresh - Smoke Free North East - say both moves will cut the number of teenagers who start smoking.

The health group estimates around 10,000 children aged 11 to 15 smoke in our region and say unless they quit, one in two will die from it.

Thousands of people in the North have signed postcards calling on the region’s MPs to vote in favour.

Traders say the move could cause a loss of revenue, but one shopkeeper has been re-assured by new findings from Ireland, where cigarette displays were moved out of sight during the summer.

Shopkeeper John McClurey, former North of England President of the Newsagents Federation, visited Ireland to see how traders are coping with the ban on displaying tobacco products, introduced on July 1.

He said: “I would rather sell birthday cards than ‘in sympathy’ cards.

“Most of us are extremely vigilant about not selling to children.

“Many of us are increasingly uncomfortable with so obviously promoting such a dangerous product. I think we have a responsibility to do anything that helps people not to start smoking, or to provide information on quitting.”