Stubbing out the habit

12:26pm Wednesday 9th March 2005

Thousands of smokers in Croydon are expected to stub out their habit for good today to coincide with national No Smoking Day.

Advisers from Croydon Primary Care Trust (PCT) will be at the Whitgift Centre from 10am today (Wednesday) offering advice on how to kick cigarettes for good.

Smokers will also be offered the opportunity to have their carbon monoxide levels monitored as well as receiving No Smoking Day goodie bags.

New Addington residents Helen Petrou and Christine Addison both recently stopped smoking with the help of Croydon PCT's Stop Smoking Service and say they are feeling the benefits already.

Helen, 38, gave up after smoking up to 25 cigarettes a day for 25 years. "I breathe better, sleep better and smell better and I'm feeling really good about myself. I should have done this years ago. I don't know what I was scared of," she said.

Christine, 58, was a heavy smoker of 45 years before stopping six months ago. She said: "My clothes don't smell now and the curtains don't need washing so often. There are still times when I want a cigarette but I haven't had one."

Tips to help Croydon smokers succeed in giving up include: l Call your local free stop smoking service on 020 8666 0370.

l Write down all the reasons why you want to stop and tape it to the fridge to help you stay motivated.

l Enlist the support of friends, family and workmates - to help keep you on track.