Extra help for smokers who want to quit

An extra helping hand is being given to people wanting to give upsmoking in Bath.

New sessions have started at a children's centre in the city,while advice and free nicotine patches will also be given out atBath City's home game with Bognor Regis this afternoon.

Sessions will be held every Thursday at 9am at the St Martin'sGarden Children's Centre in Odd Down.

They are aimed at people who want to stop smoking, but organisersare also encouraging successful quitters to attend, to share adviceand support. Tea and coffee will be provided and people can stay forjust five minutes or for an hour.

The move is part of the expansion of the services being offeredby children's centres run by Bath and North East Somerset Council.

Its cabinet member for chidren's services, Cllr Chris Watt (Con,Midsomer Norton Redfield), said: "These new stop smoking sessionsare representative of the sort of service children's centre servicesare trying to achieve. The council wants to help develop healthiercommunities and provide services which are responsive to what localfamilies want. At the centres, children can make friends and learnas they play, and parents can get professional advice on health andfamily matters, learn about training and job opportunities or simplyjust socialise with other people."

A gazebo is being been set up at the Twerton Park ground thisafternoon, at which staff from NHS Bath and North East Somerset'sStop Smoking Team will be on hand to give out free nicotine patches,gum and advice.

The event is being held in the run-up to No Smoking Day whichtakes place on Wednesday.

Smoking cessation adviser Ruth Lander said: "There are a lot ofpeople who want to quit smoking but are not quite sure how and ifthey will be successful.

"We want to get out and about and to show people so they can seefor themselves exactly what we have to offer."

Research shows that around 22 per cent of people in the Bath areasmoke, and of these, around 70 per cent want to quit.

The advisers are also staging a free smoothie day at St Martin'sHospital on Wednesday when visitors will be offered a free drink inthe cafe and a chance to talk to some of the team. The event will bestaged between 11am and 12.30pm.

The Stop Smoking service offers ongoing free face-to-face advice,support and information, including one-to-one meetings and groupdiscussions with trained advisors.

For more details on how you can quit smoking, contact 01225831852.