BRADFORD Council is supporting a new campaign ‘Today is the Day’ which encourages thousands of smokers considering quitting to take the opportunity to stop smoking.

The new campaign, launched by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) features a heartfelt plea from respiratory doctor Ruth Sharrock for smokers to quit today to protect themselves from smoking related diseases and increased risk of severe illness from Covid-19.

Smoking is the largest cause of preventable death across the Bradford district. It is responsible for around 800 deaths a year and every year a further 1,179 children take up smoking.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “Smoking remains the biggest killer in the Bradford district, and we want to make sure all smokers know our Living Well service can help offer the support the help they need to quit.

“Stopping smoking does not only rapidly reduce your chances getting a life threatening illness, it will also help improve the health of your family and save you money.

“Getting support is key to a successful quit attempt and it can take more than one attempt to quit for good. Our Living Well service offers expert advice and medications to deal with cravings.”

You can get help to quit by calling the Living Well stop smoking service on 01274 437700.