THE North-East has 118,000 fewer people smoking than a decade ago – and smokers are being encouraged to make this No Smoking Day (Wednesday March 11) their day to quit for good.

The message comes from the North-East tobacco control office, Fresh, ahead of the British Heart Foundation’s 32nd annual No Smoking Day campaign.

Fresh is also encouraging former smokers to do something amazing and encourage someone they know to stop.

While seven in 10 North-East smokers wish they could quit for the sake of their family and 85 per cent wish they had never started, one in five (22 per cent) people in the region continue to smoke.

This year’s No Smoking Day theme is ‘Proud to be a Quitter’ and Fresh is urging smokers to never give up on quitting smoking, even if they have tried before.

Lisa Surtees, acting director of Fresh, said: “This year’s No Smoking Day is all about celebrating the amazing achievements of those who have managed to quit smoking and are proud to be called a quitter. We’re also encouraging others to make themselves and their families proud by giving quitting a go too.

“If you’ve tried quitting before and not succeeded you shouldn’t feel like a failure, it can often take a few attempts before you quit for good. The important thing is never to give up on quitting.

“We’re also encouraging anyone who has quit to encourage someone else to stop too and give them support. It could help save someone’s life.”

By stopping smoking you not only reduce the risk of developing smoking-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease or COPD.

The national Quitline is 0300-123-1044