Manchester couples are being encouraged to give each other the ultimate Valentine’s gift this February – a smoke-free, healthy future together.
Forget showering your beloved with expensive flowers and boxes of chocolates this February – Be Smoke Free, Manchester’s stop smoking service, has launched a new Valentine’s Day campaign, Quit Together, Love Longer, aimed at couples who smoke and want to support each other to quit. The campaign highlights how quitting together can improve health and life expectancy, save thousands of pounds a year, and increase the chances of successfully stopping smoking for good.
Despite smoking rates falling each year, smoking remains one of the biggest causes of preventable illness and early death in Manchester. Evidence shows people are more likely to quit successfully when they have support – especially from a partner or friend and with specialist 1-to-1 behavioural support, free products and expert guidance from a nurse-led team.
The campaign focuses on three key benefits:
- Health: Enjoy better breathing, more energy and reduced risk of heart disease and cancer
- Money: Couples who smoke could save thousands of pounds a year by quitting together*
- Time: More years and quality time together thanks to a healthier lifestyle
As part of the campaign, couples are invited to make a joint quit pledge this Valentine’s Day and access local stop smoking support, including one-to-one advice and free stop smoking aids.
Charlotte Brien, Nurse Manager for the Be Smoke Free service in Manchester said:
″Love it or loathe it, Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love, commitment and looking after each other. Quitting smoking together is one of the most powerful ways couples can protect their heart and lung health, save money and enjoy more time together. We’re here to offer friendly, non-judgemental support every step of the way.
″Couples who quit smoking together improve their health and increase their life expectancy by up to 10 years depending on how early they quit. Quitting smoking can also collectively save couples around £6,000 a year.* Imagine the possibilities of what that money can be used towards – a holiday, a new car or just easing the cost of living.″
With around 73% of non-smoking partners reporting disagreements and conflicts with their partner over their smoking habits, 17% of non-smokers considering leaving their partner because they smoke, 23% of smokers hiding their smoking habits from their partner and with 78-83% of non-smokers stating that they are far less likely to be attracted to a smoker, the incentives for singletons across Manchester to quit this Valentine’s Day and find a new relationship has never been stronger.
Research has also revealed that nearly half of former smokers who switch to smoke-free alternatives reported improved relationships with family and friends. 2 out of 3 Manchester quitters said that after quitting smoking, they feel more present around others.
Charlotte Brien added:
″Quitting isn’t for the faint hearted but with the right support, it’s possible to kick the habit and boost your relationship, health, quality of life and life expectancy. With expert guidance from Be Smoke Free, we’ll work out a quit plan that works for you and we’ll be there for you every step of the way.″
Be Smoke Free is provided by Change Grow Live and provides a free service including nicotine replacement therapy, vapes and liquids, stop smoking medication, face-to-face support or over the phone advice for anyone aged 12 and over living in Manchester.
The Quit Together, Love Better campaign runs throughout February, with social media activity and local partnerships to spread the message that quit smoking help is available for everyone in Manchester.
For more information, visit Be Smoke Free here. Anyone can self-refer directly to Be Smoke Free by filling out a short form here.
