Ospreys in the Community has teamed up with Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board and Public Health Wales to encourage people to quit smoking.
Next Wednesday, March 9th, is National No Smoking Day and, Ospreys players will be helping to spread the message with three special visits to pharmacies in the region to promote the ‘Start Here’ service.
Between 1pm and 2pm next Tuesday (8th March), Hanno Dirksen and Eli Walker will be at Queen’s Pharmacy in Skewen, Ryan Bevington and Matthew Dwyer will visit the Well Pharmacy in Maesteg and Aled Jenkins and Dafydd Howells will be at Davies Pharmacy, Ystalyfera.
Paul Whapham, Foundation Manager, Ospreys in the Community, said:
“One of the core pillars of OITC is to promote healthy lifestyles. The impact of smoking is well documented, so if we can use our high profile to be able to encourage even a small percentage of smokers in the region to stub out for good, then it can lead to a huge difference in the quality of life to people the length and breath of Ospreylia.
“We are delighted to be able to support ABMU Health Board and Public Health Wales in this campaign, and hope to really make a difference.”
Local research shows that over 90% of smokers would really like to quit smoking but many smokers aren’t yet aware that their pharmacies can provide great support to quit which includes free one to one confidential advice and support for up to 12 sessions and free Nicotine Replacement products.
Judith Tomlinson, Consultant in Public Health in the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg local public health team says “It is really good news that locally we will soon have over 70 pharmacies who will provide this support for smokers. This helps to ensure that smokers can access the type of service they want, when and where they want it.
“It’s fantastic that the Ospreys are supporting this campaign, with the players using their position as role models in the community to help us spread the message that many more pharmacies are offering one to one support, right in the heart of local communities, to help smokers quit once and for all.”
For a participating pharmacist, check out the full list at
www.abm.wales.nhs.uk/quittingstarthere