Although Christmas can be a time of peace and harmony, for many families smoking emerges as a key catalyst for family rows with 57 per cent of smokers in the South East believing their smoking causes arguments in their relationships. Further to that, 50 per cent of smokers admit to concealing their smoking from their partner or family, using tactics such as lying about the amount they smoke or whether they have smoked at all, through to inventing reasons to get out of the house and have a cigarette.
Whilst health and money remain key reasons for stopping smoking - 79 and 67 per cent respectively in the South East - as Christmas approaches and thoughts turn to the family, half of all smokers in the region acknowledge their smoking is damaging to loved ones and 43 per cent feel guilty and anxious about the impact their smoking has on family and friends. Fortunately however, in a nod to the season of goodwil, 44 per cent of smokers are motivated to quit specifically to alleviate the concerns of their loved ones.
Smokers seem to be realising that quitting this Christmas could be the best gift they could give, with 71 per cent of smokers expecting their loved ones to react positively if they successfully stop smoking and 55 per cent specifically stating their loved ones would feel proud of them. Advice from experts proves that it's best not to go cold turkey, using NHS support means you are up to four times more likely to stop smoking successfully.
Jo Locker, Regional tobacco control manager for the South East said:
"The NHS Stop Smoking Service provides people with support and practical advice when they come to us wanting to stop smoking. We work to find the right solution for each individual, because everyone has different needs when it comes to quitting. If you're one of the 39 per cent of smokers looking to stop smoking next year, call the NHS Smoking Helpline for your best chance of a successful quit attempt."
Professor Robert West from the Health Behaviour Research Centre at University College London said:
"Christmas and New Year are key times for people to plan to stop smoking. With over 2,000 deaths every week due to smoking related diseases, it's very encouraging to see so many smokers taking note of the concerns of their family and friends and planning to be smoke free in 2009.
"You're up to four times more likely to stop smoking successfully if you use NHS support, so I urge smokers to give themselves the best possible chance and get in touch with their local NHS Stop Smoking Service."
If you're thinking of quitting this Christmas or New Year, call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 0 169 from 7am to 11pm, 7 days a week. You can speak to a trained adviser who can tell you all about the range of free support available from the NHS to help you stop smoking.
