Stop smoking or die too young (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Stop smoking or die too young

12:30pm Sunday 30th November 2008 in

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AN attention-grabbing anti-smoking advert hits North West television screens this month – portraying children’s fears about their parents’ smoking.

The advert, commissioned by Smokefree North West, shows a young girl saying she’s not afraid of the dark, spiders or clowns, but she is afraid that her mum will die because of her smoking.

It will be timed to air in the early evening when parents and their children are most likely to be watching together, in a bid to trigger discussion and motivate parents to contact their local NHS stop smoking service.

Smokefree North West claim 23 people die of smoking-related illnesses in Cheshire every week.

Regional tobacco policy manager Andrea Crossfield said: “Parents are increasingly aware of the negative impact smoking can have on their children – not just through second-hand smoke but because their kids are scared for their health.

“NHS stop smoking services can help anyone who wants to stop smoking, and people who quit using these services are four times more likely to stop for good.”

She added: “All children should be entitled to grow up in a healthy environment away from the harmful effects of tobacco. We hope this new advertising campaign will encourage more parents to quit.”

If you need help quitting smoking, you can contact the NHS smoking helpline on 0800 169 0169.