The Press Association
More than 40% of smokers in England tried to kick the habit in the year it was banned in enclosed public places, it was revealed.
The matter is being discussed at a conference in Cardiff organised by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Wales.
Professor Robert West, Cancer Research UK’s director of tobacco studies, will tell delegates the biggest motivator for smokers wanting to give up is New Year’s Eve, when 10% decided to quit.
Eight per cent of smokers and ex-smokers surveyed said they attempted to quit due to the ban on smoking in public places being introduced in England last July.
Professor West, co-director of Cancer Research UK’s Health Behaviour Research Centre at University College London, said 43% of the 27,000 smokers and ex-smokers in England surveyed from November 2006 to January 2008 had tried to quit.
He said: “It can take many attempts to stop smoking for good, but the more times you try, the more likely you are to succeed in the end. I think the best chance of success comes from getting advice and assistance from the specialist NHS Stop Smoking Service. It provides friendly advice and assistance and is based on sound evidence of effectiveness.”
The survey showed that half of those who tried quitting used products like nicotine gum, patches or lozenges. Research suggests smokers are four times more likely to quit successfully with NHS support and nicotine patches and gum, Cancer Research UK said.
Legislation banning smoking in enclosed spaces was introduced in England on July 1 2007.
Elspeth Lee, Cancer Research UK’s head of tobacco control, said: “It’s good news that the smoke-free legislation, as well as protecting people from second-hand smoke, encouraged some smokers to quit. But with about 10 million smokers in the UK, half of whom will die from a smoking related disease, we cannot be complacent.
“We need the Government’s continued commitment to reducing smoking rates and stopping future generations from starting to smoke.”