Question - I am trying to give up smoking and thought I would stop on national No Smoking Day on Wednesday 14th March. Have you any advice that would help?

 Answer -  Finding the willpower to give up smoking can be very difficult. However, help is at hand – your local pharmacist is readily available to give advice and support for smokers who are trying to give up. The pharmacist will probably recommend you use some form of nicotine replacement to help you combat those cigarette cravings. But it is important to talk to your pharmacist about your smoking history – how many cigarettes you smoke a day and how long you have been smoking – then the pharmacist can decide which treatment is best for you.

• Other tips to help you give up are:

• Make a date to give up smoking and try to stick to it.

• Throw away all your cigarettes.

• Get rid of anything you associate with smoking – lighters, ashtrays or matches the day before you intend to give up.

• Think about ways to help you cope with situations where you would normally light up a cigarette.

• Tell friends and family that you are going to give up so they can give you support – both support and encouragement are extremely important as they help to keep your willpower strong.

• Keep a record of how much money you have saved by not smoking – and treat yourself with all that extra money!

Remember, if you would like friendly help, advice and local information on how to kiss smoking goodbye, please visit our website – www.nosmokingday.org.uk – or call Smokeline

between noon and midnight on... 0800 84 84 84