THE SMOKING BAN COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN! HOW ARE YOU GOING TO KICK THE HABIT?

Stop Smoking Intensive programmes available in the lead up to the smoking ban

[ClickPress, Thu Jun 07 2007] With little over a month to go before the smoking ban comes into effect throughout the UK, the desire to give up for good intensifies, either through good intentions or the impending inconvenience. The Third Space Medicine, London’s leading integrated medical centre, and Life Works , leading experts in addiction treatment, have joined forces to develop the most comprehensive and effective solution for stopping smoking now available in the UK – the Stop Smoking 6 Week Intensive programme, www.stopsmokingintensive.com .

The innovative ‘Stop Smoking Intensive’ course is totally unique in that it is the only one to combine the use of research proven techniques with attractive complementary therapies, nutrition and exercise, in an holistic approach. It is the first course ever to offer such a broad range of treatments whereby after an individual medical assessment patients sign up to 20 hours of specialist counselling and relapse prevention therapy, and also choose from a range of therapies, including acupuncture, hypnotherapy, nutritional advice, personal training and yoga and pilates classes…. Almost a ‘pick and mix’ solution! All individuals following the programme are also encouraged to use the cutting edge facilities at The Third Space available for the duration of the Stop Smoking Intensive course, including an ozone-treated swimming pool, resistance floor and hypoxic chamber. A combined mind/body therapy that will prevent relapse, weight gain and kick starts a new health and fitness regime and detox from the effects of smoking.

The course is led by facilitator Marj Williams with support sessions being hosted at the Life Works centre on Duke Street in central London (www.lifeworkscommunity.com).


07/06/2007
Editor’s contact: 0208 334 5750
For Immediate Release
Page 2 of 3

Marj has been involved in stop smoking programmes for eleven years, having worked as a counsellor and trainer for the charity QUIT and clinical therapist for the Maudsley Smokers Clinic. She is fully involved in every aspect of the 6 week sessions and understands the severity of this particular addiction. The course has been running since June 2006, and is seeing outstanding results:

“This programme really helps my patients to quit smoking for good. The powerful synergy of the best of orthodox and complementary medicine, combined with switched on experienced motivators really did the job when all else had failed.”
Dr Eric Asher, Joint Head of Medical Services, The Third Space Medicine

Feedback suggests that the key element of success is the group-support aspect. Each programme consists of a small group who are encouraged to “pair up” and contact each other by text, e-mail or phone whenever they feel they might relapse. The urge not to let down fellow quitters can be a powerful motivator when it comes to resisting cravings.

“I have been trying to stop smoking for 25 years. I tried everything but nothing worked. Thanks to the Stop Smoking Intensive programme I’ve finally quit and I feel great. The course was brilliant.”

John, London


Don Serratt, recovering addict and pioneer of addiction treatment centre Life Works, explains that the insidious difference between smoking addiction and other addictive drugs is that the really hard consequences don’t come until later in life:

"Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances available. In terms of success rates, for some people it’ll be harder to kick than heroin. Combine that with the fact that it
is still fairly socially acceptable, it’s legal and, until July 1 of this year, you can do it where you like, and the incentives for people to quit look minimal."
Don Serratt, CEO Life Works
07/06/2007
Editor’s contact: 0208 334 5750
For Immediate Release
Page 3 of 3


Further information about the course can be found at http://www.stopsmokingintensive.com



For further information, interviews with Don Serratt, Marj Williams and Dr Eric Asher, visuals,
and case studies please contact:
Kate/ Beccy/ Emily at MAX
Tel: 00 44 (0) 208 334 5750/ Email: emily@maxpr-events.com
Limited course places available for journalists determined to quit







QUIT SMOKING FACT SHEET




Fatalities


 smoking kills around 114,000 people in the UK each year.


about half of all regular cigarette smokers will eventually be killed by their habit.


of the 300 people who die every day in the UK as a result of smoking, many are comparatively young smokers.


Research has shown that smoking reduces life expectancy by seven to eight years.


tobacco is the only legally available consumer product which kills people when it is used entirely as intended.



Giving Up


about 12 million adults in Great Britain smoke cigarettes - 26% of men and 23% of women. In 1974, 51% of men and 41% of women smoked cigarettes - nearly half the adult population of Britain.


now one quarter smoke but the decline in recent years has been heavily concentrated in older groups: i.e, almost as many young people are taking up smoking but more established smokers are quitting.


people do give up - 20% of women and 28% of men are ex-smokers. surveys show that about 70% of current smokers would like to give up altogether







Financial


smoking in public places will be banned on July 1st 2007 in the UK.


smoking 20 a day will cost you £2000 + a year

Health


smokers take 25 per cent more sick days per year than non-smokers.


cigarettes contain more than 4000 chemical compounds and at least 400 toxic substances.


smokers have paler skin and more wrinkles. this is because smoking reduces the blood supply to the skin and lowers levels of vitamin A.


deaths caused by smoking are five times higher than the 22,833 deaths arising from:
road traffic accidents (3439)
other accidents (8,579)
poisoning and overdose (881)
alcoholic liver disease (5,121)
murder and manslaughter (513)
suicide (4,066)
and HIV infection (234)
in the UK in 2002

Ban


smoking in public places will be banned on July 1st 2007 in the UK.












Time since quitting Beneficial health changes that take place
20 minutes Blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal
8 hours Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by half, oxygen levels return to normal.
24 hours Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.
48 hours There is no nicotine left in the body. Ability to taste and smell is greatly improved.
72 hours Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
2 - 12 weeks Circulation improves.
3 - 9 months Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function is increased by up to 10%.
1 year Risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker.
10 years Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.
15 years Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.


Cigarettes Years of smoking
Per day 1 5 10 20 50
5 £456 £2,280 £4,560 £9,120 £22,800
10 £912 £4,560 £9,120 £18,240 £45,600
20 £1,825 £9,125 £18,250 £36,500 £91,250
40 £3,650 £18,250 £36,500 £73,000 £182,500

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