North Ayrshire Provost, Anthea Dickson, who successfully completed her own personal journey to live a tobacco-free life, is backing a health charity’s national No Smoking Day campaign urging people who smoke to make attempts to give up and win through improvements in their physical health, mental wellbeing and finances.

The North Ayrshire Councillor is supporting ASH Scotland’s ‘Quit and Win’ campaign, which is highlighting that giving up smoking increases opportunities to live a healthier life through improving mental health and decreasing the risks of developing coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia and some cancers.

Provost Dickson said: “I had my first cigarette at about 11 years of age and stop-started throughout my teens but became a wholly engaged smoker by the time I went to university. My cigarette consumption rose to 40 a day during my studying, apprenticeship and during my early working years.

“I did stop smoking during my pregnancies but started again about one year after the births. I eventually managed to stop smoking for good, however, immediately after my son, then aged 2, was diagnosed with asthma. That was 39 years ago, and I have never wanted to smoke since, beyond a notional hankering.

“Fortunately, the smell of smoke puts me off and, since giving up cigarettes, I certainly feel the benefits of not having smoke-smelling clothes or driving a car that doesn’t stink like an ashtray!

“I am pleased to be supporting ASH Scotland’s ‘Quit and Win’ campaign and urge anyone who is thinking about quitting smoking to give it a go and, if you need support, you can reach out to Quit Your Way which is a free NHS service.”

Anyone in Scotland who has the goal of giving up smoking can visit Quit Your Way Scotland by clicking the button below, or call the free helpline on 0800 848484. Run by NHS 24, they provide tailored advice to help you stop in a way that suits you.