NHS smoking “success stories” praised

At least 70,000 lives have been saved by the NHS’ Stop Smoking Services over the last ten years, new figures show.

Commenting on the news, minister for public health and Labour MP for Lincoln Gillian Merron said that stopping smoking is a difficult thing to do, but that free services from the NHS mean that it is more likely that people will be successful in their efforts.

“I am proud of the hard work behind every one of these 70,000 success stories. Every life saved represents a battle against an addiction ? a triumph for the individual and their family,” she added.

The Department of Health noted that the number of people whose lives have been saved by the NHS Stop Smoking Services could fill 875 double-decker buses or the entire Old Trafford football stadium.

Across England, there are more than 150 local NHS Stop Smoking Services facilities, located in GP practices, workplaces, children’s centres, leisure centres and other sites.