Will you stub it out on No Smoking Day?

Saved my life I’ll give it a go (pictured with her daughter Faith) Decided to stop Make it every day

Mary Thomson Jamie-Lee Dollochine Allan Haining Julia Foley

Today is No Smoking Day – one of the country’s foremost public health events designed to encourage and support smokers who want to stub out the habit.

No Smoking Day, which has been running since Ash Wednesday in 1983, is a great opportunity to stop smoking, get help with kicking the habit and enjoy the health and other benefits of quitting cigarettes.

When we took to the streets of Wishaw, we found that everyone – smokers, non-smokers and reformed smokers alike – is giving the thumbs up to the national initiative.

For Mary Thomson, of Wishaw Road, the decision to stop smoking 10 years ago saved her life.

“I landed in intensive care with swine flu. My full body was shutting down and I thought: ‘That is it. I have to stop,” she confessed.

“I keep on at my two daughters about smoking.

“If No Smoking Day helps a single person to stop, it can only be a good thing.”

Boxing coach Allan Haining, 79, actively discourages his young boxers from taking up smoking.

“I used to smoke Captain Players – 20 a day,” said Allan, of Louden Street, Coltness.

“I quit 49 years ago. I was going into hospital and the first thing they ask you is if you smoke. That’s when I decided to stop.”

Non-smoker Julia Foley, 21, thinks every day should be No Smoking Day.

“Smoking is not attractive at all. Although I think No Smoking Day is a good thing, it will not make someone stop smoking unless they are really serious about doing it,” said Julia, of Wishaw, who says none of her friends smoke.

Twenty-year-old mum Jamie-Lee Dollochine, of Cambusnethan, started smoking when she was 17.

She says she’ll try to have a cigarette-free day today in honour of No Smoking Day – but admits it will be tough.

“Being a mum can be stressful and that’s when you reach for a cigarette,” said Jamie-Lee, who wants to quit for the sake of her one-year-old daughter, Faith.

“I think No Smoking Day is a good thing. I have tried to stop, but it is hard.”

Quit Your Way Scotland is an advice and support service for anyone trying to stop smoking.

You can contact Quit Your Way Scotland for free by phoning an advisor on 0800 84 84 84.