SMOKERS in Mid Devon have received a renewed warning about going ?cold turkey? in the January rush to give up. Becky Jenkins, the director of public health for Mid Devon Primary Care Trust, said smokers were likely to be far more successful if they used the services on offer from the NHS. Many people try to give up tobacco without the aid of nicotine replacement patches or counselling at this time of year ? unaware that both are available on the NHS. But Mrs Jenkins, who is responsible for promoting public health in the district, says going cold turkey is not always the best approach. She said: ?The new year is a really good time to think about giving up smoking. ?People will want to make sure they are giving it their best shot and that means getting advice about how the NHS can help. ?You can get this by booking an appointment with your doctor or by phoning the NHS smoking helpline.? Mrs Jenkins first warned people against trying to quit without help from the NHS last year and the authority is again trying to encourage hundreds of smokers to turn their backs on the habit. Statistics show smokers who use NHS services to help them quit are up to five times more likely to succeed. Smokers can be prescribed nicotine replacement therapy or the tablet Zyban as well as getting comprehensive support from specially trained advisers. One-to-one and/or group support is also available. Last year, about 8,500 deaths in the West Country were directly attributed to smoking. ?Smoking is our number one priority in terms of public health,? she said. ?It is the country?s single greatest cause of preventable illness and premature death and people must be given a helping hand.? For advice on the range of support in Mid Devon phone 0845 111 1142 or see your GP.
