Smokers told not to go cold turkey (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon smokers told not to go cold turkey

3:00pm Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News

Those struggling to quit smoking were given a helping hand in the town centre on Thursday.

The campaign Don’t Go Cold Turkey visited the Centrale Shopping Centre to offer smokers the chance to get support from smoking advisors.

Smokers were told the best methods on how to quit successfully.

According to research by the campaign, the average Croydon smoker has tried to quit four times before and despite repeated failure, 43 per cent think about giving up every day.

Around 61 per cent of smokers in London are set to try and quit this January, with over a third planning to go ‘cold turkey’, which means giving up by using will power alone.

But this is the least effective method with only three per cent remaining smoke-free after one year.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, BBC medical correspondent and practising GP, said: “I want those who are motivated to quit to consider that there is support available and that even a brief conversation with their healthcare professional or local stop smoking service can increase their chances of success by up to four times, compared to going 'cold turkey'.”

Visit www.dgct.co.uk for more information and advice on quitting smoking.