Healthy help to give up the fags in 2018

SMOKERS in Leicestershire are set to benefit from a range of healthy incentives to encourage them to break the habit this January.

The county council’s QuitReady stop smoking service has teamed up with borough and district councils to offer January quitters the opportunity to try out - for free - local leisure facilities and exercise classes if they stay smoke free for four weeks or more.

Smokers who wish to take advantage of the New Year fitness offer should contact QuitReady, who also provide 12 weeks of free support, advice and stop smoking treatment by visiting www. quitready.co.uk , calling 0345 646 6666, or texting “ready” to 66777.

Councillor Pam Posnett, cabinet lead member, said: “It’s great that we have been able to link up with district and borough councils and their leisure facilities as the New Year is the most popular time of year for people to quit smoking.

“It’s a chance to make those New Year resolutions stick as the support offers people the best chance of quitting smoking for good and developing healthy habits which last a lifetime.”

Enderby couple Nick and Heidi can already say they have gone from being quitters to becoming fitter. The couple contacted QuitReady, and successfully quit with the support of their advisor and use of e-cigarettes.

They have both been smoke free for more than 12 weeks.

Nick said: “The kids were getting on at us to stop, and I’m not getting any younger, so I thought it was time to start looking after myself and get a bit fitter. I’ve started running a couple of times a week and we’ve also taken up badminton.”

Heidi said: “I’ve joined a gym and started exercise classes and I feel so much better exercising now I don’t smoke. I’ve got so much more energy and I can run without my chest hurting.”