Smokers in the Isle of Man are being urged to take the first step in quitting cigarettes for good on No Smoking Day which takes place on Wednesday 11 March.

While studies show that around two-thirds of smokers want to quit, nearly one in five adults in the Isle of Man continues to smoke (19.1%).

The theme for this year’s No Smoking Day is ‘Proud to be a Quitter’ drawing on inspirational stories of ex-smokers to highlight the life-changing benefits of quitting.

To tie in with this year’s theme, the Public Health Directorate’s Quit4You team is running a competition for quitters. It wants to hear from Island residents who have quit smoking and are ‘proud to be a quitter’ in the hope that local, real life stories will help inspire smokers to quit.

Entries should be no longer than 200 words and should detail the reasons for quitting smoking, how the person quit and the benefits since becoming smokefree. The stories will be made publically available so entrants should only enter if they’re happy to share their story. Entries should be submitted to tobacco@gov.im or in writing to the Public Health Directorate, Cronk Coar, Noble’s Hospital Estate, Strang, IM4 4RJ.

Three prizes will be awarded by the Quit4You team with winners able to choose a voucher for an Isle of Man store of their choice to the value of ?50 (first prize), ?20 (second prize) and ?10 (third prize). The deadline for entries is Friday 27 March.

Minister for Health and Social Care, Howard Quayle MHK, said: “Quitting smoking is still the single best thing smokers can do for their health, so we want to encourage smokers to mark Wednesday 11 March in their calendars and take the first step towards a smoke-free life. We know that quitting isn’t easy on your own, so No Smoking Day is a great opportunity to provide people wanting to quit smoking with information about services that will help them along the way.’’

Anita Imberger, Health Psychologist and Tobacco Lead, said: “Many people who smoke say they would like to quit, but find the task too daunting. With support, people are four times more likely to succeed in their attempt to quit. The Island’s Quit4You service offers free practical advice and support with weekly clinics around the Island. We can also offer private appointments for pregnant women and partners or those who find it difficult to attend our clinic times. No Smoking Day is an opportunity to give quitting another try – even if you’ve tried many times before. There are now new products and different ways of quitting that might make a difference.”

Anouk, aged 41, quit smoking with the help of her Quit4You Practice Nurse at her GP surgery. She hasn’t smoked for almost three years: “I'm so proud to have quit smoking as it's the one thing I never thought I'd be able to do. Quitting has had an astounding positive effect on my health and last year I circumnavigated the Island in a kayak with a group of people in less than three days – something I would never have had the stamina or the breath to do had I not quit.”

Members of the Quit4You team will be at the Isle of Man College Health Fayre from 9.30am to 1pm on Wednesday 11 March to inspire potential quitters and help make it the day to quit smoking. Quit4You Advisors will be on hand to offer information about ways to quit as well as providing the opportunity for people to find out their personal carbon monoxide reading.

For more information about the Island’s Stop Smoking Service, visit www.Quit4You.gov.im, phone 642404 or email tobacco@gov.im.