Smoking kills two people every week in West Lancashire

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Jan 8 2009 by Michael Byrne, Ormskirk Advertiser

MORE than two people die from smoking-related illness in West Lancashire every week according to just released health figures just released.

Alarming figures from Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust showed that 140 people died from smoking related illnesses in West Lancashire in 2008.

A separate survey published earlier this year, showed that 34% of people in Skelmersdale smoke, the highest in the Central Lancashire PCT area.

Staff from the local NHS Stop Smoking Service are organising sessions four days a week at venues across the district where people can get advice on how to stop smoking.

On Monday, the clinic will be open at the Sandy Lane Health Centre between 11am and midday.

It will then move to Hillside Health Centre, Tanhouse Road, for a session between 2pm and 3pm and then go to room H012 at Ormskirk College in Hants Lane, between 6pm and 7pm.

The following day the clinics will be open at the First Steps SureStart centre on Digmoor Shopping Parade between 5pm and 7pm. Then between 5pm and 7pm it will be at the Ecumenical Centre on Northway.

On Wednesday the sessions will be at New Church House, by Ormskirk Parish Church, between 1.30pm and 2.30pm and Park Children’s Centre, Barnes Road, Skelmersdale.

Then on Thursdays they will be at the Birleywood Health Centre, Digmoor, between 11am and midday and the St John’s Children’s Centre, Birch Green, from 2pm to 3.30pm.

For more information ring 0800 3286297.

One-to-one appointments with stop smoking advisors can be arranged.

GPs are being informed of the new schemes over the coming weeks.

A PCT spokesman said: “The Stop Smoking Service offers free local support that is easy to access. There is a range of different treatments available that can double a person’s chances of going smokefree.

“Stop smoking advisors can help a person quit by listening to andoffering practical advice tailored to specific needs.”

Source: http://www.osadvertiser.co.uk/news/ormskirk-news/2009/01/08/smoking-kills-two-people-every-week-in-west-lancashire-80904-22630941/

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