Pub to host quit-smoking clinic ahead of ban

From the archive, first published Wednesday 17th Jan 2007.

A LANDLADY who wants to quit smoking has organised a clinic in her pub before a new law comes into force in July.

Lesley Findlay is so determined to quit after 20 years of smoking that she has organised an NHS Quit Smoking clinic in her function room at The Fox inn, in Newfound.

Joining her will be her husband Glen and three other members of staff, as well as many of her customers.

Mrs Findlay said: "It all started when I was talking to one of my customers who said she would like to give up. Then a few other people said they would too and we thought that if we got a group together it would give us more of an incentive."

She added: "I've been smoking for about 20 years, although I gave up for about 18 months eight years ago. I found it easy to stop then, although I don't know what it will be like this time. But we're all quite determined to do it."

Smoking in all indoor public places in the UK will be banned from July 1 and Mrs Findlay is inviting anyone who would like to give up to join the free seven-week clinic, which began on Monday, January 15.

She said: "Anyone who would like to quit is welcome to come along - the more the merrier."

Christina Moran, from the NHS Quit Smoking service, which will run the clinic, said: "What a great idea. Lesley is offering a great chance to local people to get free of cigarettes at a good time of year.

"We do run some clinics at the hospital and at community centres and this just helps to make us even more accessible to people."

She added: "This is the first clinic we have held in a pub, but with the smoking ban soon being introduced we are looking forward to working with more pubs which might want to do a similar thing."

To join the clinic, call 0845 602 4663 or 01256 312330 or e-mail quit.smoking@bvhpct.nhs.uk