A WREXHAM man is one of over 2,000 people who quit smoking in North Wales thanks to a health board service.

Data from Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board's (BCUHB) 'Help Me Quit' service showed specialist advisors helped a total of 2,077 people break free from tobacco between April 2023 and March 2024 – more in a single year than ever before.

Now BCUHB are encouraging more people to take their first steps to stop this October, as they aim to tackle one of their priorities.

Smoking is still the leading cause of early death and preventable illness in Wales. Last week, figures from Public Health Wales revealed how more than one in 10 deaths of people aged over 35 in Wales is caused by smoking.

But stopping smoking has major benefits for health and wellbeing within just a few hours, and can have important lifestyle benefits too.

AC/DC fan Ian Tomlinson, from Wrexham, had never been able to see his favourite band – but was able to make a rock pilgrimage to one of their gigs at Wembley Stadium this summer.

Ian said he enjoyed the trip to the full after a boost in his energy levels and his back pocket after he quit earlier this year.

He said: “We paid for tickets, we paid for the hotel, we paid for food, we paid for petrol down.

“The whole thing was an experience that I would never have ever had if I had still been smoking.

“Not only did I get to go and see the concert, I could stand there with my wife and enjoy it. And she could enjoy me standing with her, rather than me having to go and sit down.

“We stood there for five hours. I'm not saying I danced like a kid, but I was shuffling the best I can which I couldn't do before! It just gives you the energy and the enthusiasm to do stuff that you always wanted to do.”

Help Me Quit offers free, motivational face-to-face or phone support from a specialist advisor or at a local pharmacy, plus free nicotine replacement products like patches, gum or mouth spray to help with cravings.

Acting Executive Director of Public Health Dr Jane Moore said reducing the impact smoking has on the health of people here in North Wales was a key priority for the health board. 

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Dr Moore said: “Smokers know that tobacco is damaging their health, and that tobacco smoke damages the health of the people around them.

“So we’re pleased that so many smokers are turning to our specialist, free Help Me Quit service when they make the decision that it is time for them to break free. People like Ian and Graham show just how life-changing support to stop smoking from our service can be.

“Our Help Me Quit advisors know how difficult it is, and work really hard to support and continue to motivate people who want to quit. Their help is available to everyone, including people who have tried to stop before – and people who might have restarted smoking.”

You can find more information about Help Me Quit services in North Wales or register for a call-back to start your journey to quitting smoking here, or by calling 08000 852 219.