SMOKERS ACROSS Perth and Kinross took part in The Great No Smoking Day Challenge at events yesterday.

Smoking cessation workers were at Tesco Crieff Road and Asda Dunkeld Road giving information and advice to anyone who wanted help to stop smoking, as well as offering free carbon monoxide tests.

These tests allow people to see how they measure up next to healthy lungs and smokers’ lungs and are a good visual image for smokers which may give them that extra incentive to quit.

There were quizzes, displays and smoking cessation advice at Perth College, Tesco Blairgowrie, Baby Bumps in Letham, Rattray Village Hall, Coupar Angus Medical Centre and Perth Royal Infirmary.

More than a million people try to kick the habit on No Smoking Day every year and, to recognise the difficulties in commitment faced by smokers who take that step, the focus of this year’s campaign is the more manageable target of the first week.

The Great No Smoking Day Challenge gives smokers the opportunity to sign up to a week-long quitting attempt and raise money for their favourite charity.

The challenge, along with the fund-raising attempt, can help give quitters the motivation and confidence that they need to help them quit for good.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison gave her backing to the Tayside No Smoking Day events.

She said, “National No Smoking Day presents a golden opportunity to anyone who is thinking about quitting to kick the habit.

“Giving up smoking is the single most important thing anyone can do to improve their health and reduce their risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease and stroke.”