A groundbreaking new community campaign, Lose the Smoker in You, has launched this month in New Parks to encourage the entire community to come together to fight the battle against smoking and nicotine addiction.  

The intensive three-month campaign run by Pfizer in collaboration with NHS Leicester City STOP! smoking service will bring information, advice and support about stopping smoking directly into the heart of the New Parks community.

An estimated 40.5% of New Parks’ residents smoke – significantly more than in Leicester City (25%) and the national average (22%).

The campaign kicked off with a roadshow in Aikman Avenue – launched by TV Doctor “Dr Jonty” Heaversedge. In keeping with his role as one of BBC TV’s Street Doctors and on CBBC’s ‘The Smokehouse’, Dr Jonty, along with trained Stop Smoking advisors took to Aikman Avenue and the surrounding streets to provide residents with information, advice and support on stopping smoking and the benefits of quitting.

Between now and the end of the year, a range of activities including roadshows, drop-in clinics, community activities, workplace initiatives, word-of-mouth promotion, the media and more will continue to provide free help and encouragement to any New Parks residents wanting to stop through NHS Leicester City STOP! smoking service and other campaign supporters.

The campaign is supported by local organisations including NHS Leicester City and Leicester City Council.

New Parks’ Councillors Stephen Corrall and Colin Hall welcomed Lose the Smoker in You as a vital addition to local stop smoking and health promotion activities already in place.

“Community health initiatives in New Parks have to date provided substantial benefits to residents,” said Councillor Hall. “They are a valuable source of education, so I’m confident this campaign will also contribute to building a healthier neighbourhood through reducing smoking.”

Smoking is a major health issue in Leicester, causing an estimated 450 deaths annually.

Louise Ross, manager of NHS Leicester City STOP! smoking service said: “We’re challenging the entire New Parks’ community to join forces and get involved. This is not just about smokers who may be thinking about trying to stop. Friends, families and loved ones can be a huge source of motivation and support for anyone trying to quit.

“A recent survey showed that more than half of New Parks’ smokers want to stop.[iii] Now, Lose the Smoker in You is bringing free NHS help and support direct to the people. We hope residents will visit the bus, get involved in the range of activities happening over the coming months or simply call the NHS Leicester City STOP! smoking service phone number for advice on stubbing out their last cigarette.

“With around 34,000 smokers in New Parks, Lose the Smoker in You is a vital addition to our efforts at encouraging people in Leicester to consider quitting.”

Dr Jonty is excited by the huge potential of Lose the Smoker in You: “Through my work as a GP I know just how hard it can be for people to stop smoking. Although almost 70% of smokers say they want to stop, we know that without help, only 3% of them will stay quit after 12 months – and the residents of New Parks are no exception to this.

“There are many places smokers can go for support during their quit attempt including their GP surgery, local NHS Stop Smoking Service and their nearest pharmacy.

This campaign has the potential to make a real difference. We know that with the help of their local NHS Stop Smoking Service, people have a much better chance of quitting for good – which in turn has a very real impact on their health and that of their families.”

Dr Berkeley Phillips, UK Medical Director at Pfizer, said: “Community education is central to our commitment to improving patient health.

As the leading partner for Lose the Smoker in You, we want to help smokers to get informed about stopping smoking and to get free support from their local NHS stop smoking service, GP or pharmacist for their quit attempt.”

For more information about quitting, smokers can visit www.losethesmokerinyou.co.uk or call NHS Leicester City STOP! smoking service on 0116 295 4141.