PHA sponsors ‘no smoking’ programmes for UTV

To mark No Smoking Day 2012, ( Wednesday 14 March) the Public Health Agency, PHA, has teamed up with UTV to sponsor  a series of mini health programmes entitled ‘Take The Leap’  which will focus on local people quitting the habit.

Take the Leap can be seen on UTV just after 11pm each night until Thursday. The series features local people’s efforts to quit smoking including a pregnant woman, a UTV reporter and a 43-year-old man who has had two heart attacks.

The PHA-sponsored series will also provide helpful information and advice for smokers deciding to ‘take the leap’ and stop smoking in 2012.

Dr Carolyn Harper, Director of Public Health with the PHA, said: “Stopping smoking is the single most important thing you can do to improve your health. I was delighted to be a part of UTV’S mini features to mark No Smoking day 2012 by showing real life people who have made an attempt to quit and we hope other smokers will ‘Take the leap’ and quit for good.”

Dr Harper continued: “Support and motivation is vital for every smoker who attempts to quit and we will continue to provide this through our free ‘stop smoking’ services. With the right advice and support you too can become one of the thousands of people that manage to quit every year. If, like the individuals in these mini features, you are motivated to ‘Take the Leap’ just lift the phone and ring the campaign helpline on 0808 812 8008 and talk to a ‘stop smoking’ adviser, or go to www.want2stop.info . The website is packed with information and advice on stopping smoking; you can also order a Quit Kit and find out where you can receive free local ‘stop smoking’ support.”

Michael Wilson, Managing Director UTV Television said: “As health and fitness become more of a priority in people’s lives, UTV is delighted to be producing, Take the Leap for our viewers who are looking for advice and encouragement on giving up smoking for the benefit of themselves, their friends and family .”