No Pyre Without Smoke

12.02.00pm GMT Tue 9th Mar 2010

To mark the 27th No Smoking Day, local MP Tom Brake is backing an Early Day Motion supporting the work of the charity which organises the day.

"Last year, 1 out of 10 smokers tried to quit on No Smoking Day," said Tom. "this is really encouraging and it's amazing what an awareness campaign like No Smoking Day can do."

"We give them our continued support and hope this year that many more will try to kick the habit."

No Smoking Day was established in 1983, and works to support smokers who want to quit.

By raising awareness of the day, which takes place on the second Wednesday in March, the charity hope to highlight the help available for quitters.

The addictive component in cigarettes is nicotine. Nicotine is a drug that stimulates the brain. Regular smokers develop withdrawal symptoms such as craving, anxiety, restlessness, headaches, irritability, hunger, difficulty with concentration, or just feeling awful.

These symptoms are relieved by the next cigarette.

So, most smokers need to smoke regularly to feel 'normal', and to prevent nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

In the UK, about 30,000 people a year die from lung cancer. More than 8 out of 10 cases are directly related to smoking.

Related Link:

EDM 943 in support of No Smoking Day.