Telegraph Insight

TODAY is No Smoking Day - 24 hours of the year dedicated to persuading people to ditch the dreaded weed. A huge array of information and propaganda will urge the smoking population to quit. But those trying to do so know that laying cigs to rest is not that simple, reveals Chief Reporter JASON HEAVEY.

. SANDRA Snowden's daughter is getting married next year and the 46-year-old mum has already made a vow of her own.

She is determined to be present during the nuptials and not be "coughing my guts up" on a hospital ward.

It is not the first time Sandra, a pharmacy assistant at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, has attempted to give up smoking. On several occasions in the past she has tried, but failed.

But she is closer than ever to achieving one of her biggest goals in life. In fact, she is now down to three cigarettes a day - a big leap from six weeks ago when she was smoking between 25 and 30.

"I have tried before but this has been my best effort," said Sandra, who lives in Baxenden. "I am having one in the morning and a couple at night, but I have now stopped bringing the cigarettes to work.

Sandra, who used to run a cafe in Burnley town centre, said: "It is mainly for health reasons that I want to give up, but there is also the financial benefit. And there is no way I want to be coughing my guts up on a hospital ward when my daughter gets married."

Sandra, who has helped the hospital organise its No Smoking Day activities, is on a course of nicotine replacement therapy to help curb her withdrawal symptoms. She is puffing on an inhalator, a pretend cigarette, which is a vital part of the weaning process.

Sandra is also receiving vital support from a person who has become fondly known among hospital staff and patients as the "Fag Woman."

Eileen Ward is Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust's smoking cessation nurse, responsible for advising and helping patients give up smoking - if they want to.

And she should know how difficult it is to ditch the dreaded weed as she has been there and worn the T-shirt.

She finally managed to give up smoking 10 years ago on her fifth attempt. She had smoked between 20 and 30 a day but was spurred on because her health was deteriorating.

"The most successful long-term quitters are those who have tried a few times to give up," she said.

"People who are trying to give up must remember that nothing is as hard as giving up smoking. Some people say it is easy, but about nine out of 10 people will struggle.

"It is also vital to remember that if a person relapses it is perfectly normal."

The health trust provides free nicotine gum and patches for patients who want to give up. Other methods of nicotine replacement therapy are also available if patients request, including nicotine nasal sprays and inhalators.

Eileen rotates her job as smoking cessation nurse with a general nursing role at Queen's Park. In her no smoking role she works closely with heart patients and mums-to-be on the maternity wards.

Her dedication to her job is apparent and today she manned a No Smoking Day display - dressed in goggles and a snorkel.

"The theme of the day is 'take the plunge' and I hope as many people as possible will do just that and try to give up," she added.

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