​May the smoke-free force be with you!

It seems that people from all corners of the galaxy are signing up to making smoking history!

An unusual welcoming committee awaited a team from Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership when they came to Bury on Bank Holiday Monday.

They were in town during the Glaston-Bury rock festival to promote a Smokefree Summer. It follows the recent ‘History Makers’ survey of people’s attitudes to smoking in public places, which was launched by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

The survey revealed that a large majority were particularly concerned about protecting children from smoking’s effects, and were in favour of banning smoking from certain public areas such as near schools.

To read the full results of the History Makers survey, go to http://www.gmhsc.org.uk/the-majority-of-people-in-greater-manchester-say-they-want-smoking-banned-in-more-outdoor-spaces/

Councillor Andrea Simpson, Bury Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Stopping smoking is the single most beneficial thing a person can do to improve their overall health and wellbeing and preventing respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and reduces the risks of lung cancer.

“It’s hard to give up smoking - I know, because I gave up about five years ago - but having gone from chest infection and wheeziness I felt the benefits of giving up smoking more or less immediately. I have lost people close to me through smoking and it has an awful effect on families. It’s expensive too: just imagine what you could spend that money on other than smoking! It took me three attempts, and it doesn’t matter how many attempts it takes you, it’s well worth doing."

You can get help with giving up smoking via the Bury Lifestyle Service: https://www.theburydirectory.co.uk/kb5/bury/directory/service.page?id=zvg3OWX6bvM

ENDS

Press release issued: 29 August 2018.

Picture: A storming welcome in Bury for the Smokefree Summer team, pictured at the front: Kim Barrett, Hannah Egerton, Magdalena Janusz and Liz Concannon.