Licensees urged to host stop smoking courses
Pubs are being urged to come forward and run stop smoking courses with the NHS after the success of a scheme in Bath.
Following courses at the Miner's Arms at Farrington Gurney, and King's Arms and Mandolins in the city centre, two more have recently started in the area.
The King's Arms in Bath city centre is now going no smoking completely from March 23 - which marks the 100-day countdown to the ban in England.
Debra Diack, licensee at the King's Arms - who has stopped smoking herself following the course - said: "If it wasn't for the group none of us would have stopped smoking. The air is much cleaner now in the pub which is great for all of us".
Yvonne Fox, licensee at the Miner's Arms, added: "We've had 16 people aged from 18 to their mid-60s on the course, meeting up every week and actually quitting smoking. It's been great to see them gel together and become friends.
"I'm proud to have been part of the programme."
The six-week course together by the Bath and North East Somerset Primary Care Trust, is for one evening a week for an hour to and hour and a half. Topics covered include coping strategies, nicotine replacement therapy and dealing with stress and relapses.
Sarah Button, health promotion specialist at the trust, said: "Many attempts to quit come under pressure when people are in traditionally smoky places like pubs and their cravings for a cigarette rise. Once England goes smokefree, that pressure will go".
Pubs in the area wishing to run the course should contact the Support to Stop Smoking Service on 01225 831852.
