LONDON, March 11 /PRNewswire/ --
- With Photo
To mark this year's No Smoking Day, three 'mini' entrepreneurs today went head-to-head to win a GBP2,000 investment from TV Dragon Duncan Bannatyne. In a re-enactment of the TV challenge, the school children faced their toughest challenge yet when they presented their big ideas on how they could encourage parents to give up smoking.
Shannon Stokes, 9, from Neith, South Wales, won with her proposal to support parents who want to quit. Shannon's Sweet Success reminds parents of the reasons they are giving up and rewards their quit attempts using sweets.
Of the winner, Bannatyne says: I was looking for a good idea, well presented by someone with enthusiasm. A twenty-a-day smoker could save GBP2,111 a year by quitting, so it makes financial sense, health sense and good common sense. There's no better time to quit than No Smoking Day.
The No Smoking Day 'Switch Ash for Cash' competition comes on the back of research that shows more than one in three (36%) of the nine million smokers in the UK are thinking about or planning to cut down or quit as a direct result of the economic downturn. The poll also shows that one in ten (9%) will be taking the first step and making a quit attempt on No Smoking Day.
Women are more likely to cut down or think about giving up (40% compared to 32% of male smokers). The report also found:
- 43% of smokers in Scotland and 33% of smokers in Wales are thinking about or planning to cut down or quit because of the recession - Smokers in the Midlands are most likely to quit because of the recession
Almost three-quarters[1] of smokers would like to quit and No Smoking Day is encouraging them to take the first step today by seeking advice from their local stop smoking service, GP or pharmacist.
Dan Tickle, Chief Executive of the No Smoking Day charity said: Giving up cigarettes will boost your bank balance - but the health benefits are even greater, including easier breathing, improved fitness and healthier hair, nails and skin. It's a fact that quitters also notice they have more energy after only a matter of days.
By choosing No Smoking Day to quit, smokers will be joining a million others taking the first step to a healthier - and wealthier life. And you don't have to quit alone. You're four times more likely to succeed if you use a free NHS Stop Smoking Service.
Shannon won GBP250 worth of gift tokens for her family and a GBP2,111 donation for her school, Clun Primary, Neith South Wales.
Runners-up, Isabella Dalton-Bunker and Daniel Thomas received GBP100 worth of family gift tokens.
Notes to Editors
Smokers considering Smokers cutting down or quitting considering because of the recession quitting on No Smoking Day East Midlands 48% 5% West Midlands 44% 12% South East 40% 11% Yorkshire and 38% 9% the Humber East of England 37% 8% North of England 33% 7% North West 30% 7% London 28% 7% South West 28% 8% Scotland 41% 12% Wales 33% 13%
- For photographs of Duncan Bannatyne, Dan Tickle, or for take the first step graphics, contact the No Smoking Day team (details below). - Case studies of celebrity and real-life quitters are available from the No Smoking Day team (details below). - No Smoking Day is organised by a charity of the same name run by four full time staff. Based in London, the charity is funded by a coalition of governmental and voluntary sector organisations with an interest in health.
The charity aims to help people who want to stop smoking by creating a supportive environment for them, and by highlighting the many sources of help available to people who want to quit.
- Duncan Bannatyne holds an OBE and was recently awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science from Glasgow Caledonian University for services to business and charity. Earlier this month he was also awarded an honorary degree in business from Teeside University. He has been involved with charities including UNICEF and Scottish International Relief, and he has recently launched the Bannatyne Charitable Trust to support worthwhile causes.
He has appeared on Dragons' Den since its first series.
- All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 4511 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 12th and 18th February 2009. The survey was conducted online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+). - There are 9.4 million Smokers in the UK (Smoking and drinking among adults, 2007) - ISDN line available for interviews. - National stop smoking telephone help lines:
England - 0800-169-0-169
Northern Ireland - 0800-85-85-85
Scotland - 0800-84-84-84
Wales - 0800-169-0-169
A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA Photowire. It can be downloaded from http://www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or viewed at http://www.mediapoint.press.net or http://www.prnewswire.co.uk.
http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk
[1] NHS Smokefree factsheet: facts on quitting
For further information, contact Elana McIntyre, PR Marketing Manager or Vishnee Sauntoo, Marketing Director on +44-(0)20-7739-5110 email: elana@nosmokingday.org.uk / vishnee@nosmokingday.org.uk. Out of office press mobile: +44-(0)7770-657-241
For further information, contact Elana McIntyre, PR Marketing Manager or Vishnee Sauntoo, Marketing Director on +44-(0)20-7739-5110 email: elana@nosmokingday.org.uk / vishnee@nosmokingday.org.uk. Out of office press mobile: +44-(0)7770-657-241
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