Smokers across Bradford are being encouraged to swap fags for fruit today and give up smoking for good.
Today is the 22nd No Smoking Day and smokers across the district are being urged to take steps towards kicking the habit.
Today advisors from Bradford Health Development Partnership's Stop Smoking Service were at the city's Kirkgate Shopping Centre dispensing free fruit and giving advice on how to quit smoking.
Specialist advisor Jacqui Yates said: "The theme of this year's No Smoking Day is Wake Up, so we are encouraging people to wake up to the health benefits of giving up smoking.
"Once smokers quit for good they can enjoy a much healthier lifestyle, live longer and save money."
One in three smokers will take some action to quit smoking today and nearly one million people have stopped smoking as a result of No Smoking Day since it started in 1984.
Michael Lummas, 69, from Clayton quit smoking six months ago after he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Mr Lummas smoked up to 30 a day for 50 years before he was diagnosed and was told he must stop smoking or die. The great-grandfather went into remission in September but on Monday was told the cancer had returned.
He said: "The sooner people quit the better. They should give up smoking, definitely.
"I still think sometimes I could do with a cigarette but I definitely wouldn't take up smoking again."
In Keighley residents also woke up to advice on quitting smoking this morning.
Residents on one particular milk round got a special delivery with Tips for Stopping Smoking along with the usual pints of milk.
Smoking specialist Sue Wilson, from Airedale Primary Care Trust, said: "One in four adults in this area is a smoker and research has shown that two thirds of them would like to stop."
A new report has shown that the country's population of smokers is steadily declining. Fewer than one in ten of the UK's population will smoke in 50 years' time, according to the study.
Currently around a quarter of the adult population are smokers although numbers have been steadily dropping since a peak in the 1950s and 60s.
The report by the Future Foundation think-tank predicted that this could drop to just eight per cent by 2050.
Smoking prevalence among UK men aged 35 to 59 fell from more than 80 per cent in 1950 to 30 per cent in 2000, while in women it dropped from 50 per cent in 1970 to 27 per cent in 2000.
The Telegraph & Argus launched its Clear the Air campaign last year to call for a ban on smoking in public places.
The campaign was launched after it was revealed that one in three deaths of people aged over 35 in Bradford were smokingrelated.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU GIVE UP SMOKING.
After 20 minutes: Blood pressure and pulse returns to normal.
After eight hours: Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood are halved.
After 24 hours:Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from your body, your lungs will have started to clear out the tar that's been clogging them up.
After 48 hours: No nicotine left in your body. Taste and smell greatly improved.
After 72 hours:Breathing becomes easier, energy levels increase.
After 2-12 weeks: Circulation improves, exercise is easier.
After 3-9 months:Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve.
SMOKING FACTFILE.
Smoking is the main cause of premature death in the UK, killing more than 106,000 people a year Smoking leads to heart disease, strokes, cancer and other fatal diseases.
There are about 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, ranging from tar to arsenic and formaldehyde.
Smokers are three times more likely to die of cancer than a non-smoker and twice as likely to have a heart attack.
Local NHS Stop Smoking Services offer free counselling and support to smokers wanting to quit and can provide nicotine replacement therapy, group and one to one sessions.
Government research shows that smokers are up to four times as likely to quit with the help of this service and nicotine replacement therapy, than with willpower alone.
For information about quitting smoking ring the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 1690169 or log onto www.givingupsmoking.co.uk.
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