New research by Boots UK1 highlights that over 52,0002 people across the UK could enjoy their first smoke free kiss today, Wednesday 1 October - the first day of the Government’s 28-day national stop smoking challenge, Stoptober.
The research reveals:
- Over half of smokers (53%) say they cannot remember the last time they enjoyed a smoke free kiss
- More than one in five say their last smoke free kiss was more than five years ago
- Almost one in five smokers (19%) say they have avoided kissing someone because they are conscious of being a smoker
- More than a third of smokers (40%) believe going smoke free will increase their chances of finding love
To help ensure those taking on the Stoptober challenge can embrace and enjoy their smoke free firsts, Boots UK is offering tailored advice and support so smokers can find a way to quit that will work for them, giving them a better chance at success.
Boots pharmacist, Angela Chalmers says: “Boots pharmacists understand that quitting smoking is different for everyone and can develop tailored support programmes to support people at every stage of their smoke free journey. We want to help people find a way that works for them so they can look forward to and celebrate their smoke free firsts whether that is a smoke free kiss or their first smoke free meal.”
The research also reveals that 61% of smokers say quitting smoking is one of their lifetime ambitions and that many of those embarking on a smoke free journey are looking forward to their first day with smoke free breath (9%).
With many years’ experience of providing support to people who are giving up smoking, Boots UK pharmacists know that having access to the right help can make all the difference. From expert pharmacist advice and support, smoking control products, and the unique Smoke Less Plan and the NHS stop smoking services available in selected Boots stores; Boots UK can help smokers find the method of quitting that works for them, to help ensure that every smoke free attempt is a successful one.
To find out more about how Boots UK can help you to go smoke free during Stoptober, visit a participating Boots UK pharmacy today for a private and confidential chat with a member of the pharmacy team. Expert advice is available without an appointment necessary, to check the pharmacy opening times, please visit the store locator at www.boots.com/storelocator.
For more information on quitting, visit Boots.com or the BootsWebMD.com smoking cessation health centre.
Notes to editors:
For more information
Please contact the Boots Press Office on 020 7025 6657/ bootshealthteam@redconsultancy.com
About Boots UK
Boots UK is the leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer in the UK, with close to 2,500* Boots UK stores and over 60,000* employees. Boots UK’s purpose is to help customers look and feel better than they ever thought possible. With customers at the heart of the business, Boots UK is committed to providing exceptional customer and patient care, be the first choice for pharmacy and healthcare, offer innovative products 'only at Boots' such as the UK’s leading skincare brand No7, all delivered with the great value our customers love. Created over 160 years ago, the Boots brand is still at the heart of the communities it serves.
Boots UK is a member of Alliance Boots, a leading international, pharmacy-led health and beauty group delivering a range of products and services to customers. Working in close partnership with manufacturers and pharmacists, Alliance Boots is committed to improving health in the local communities it serves and helping its customers and patients to look and feel their best. Its focus is on growing its two core business activities of: pharmacy-led health and beauty retailing and pharmaceutical wholesaling and distribution, while increasingly developing and internationalising its product brands. Alliance Boots has a presence in more than 27* countries and employs over 120,000* people. Alliance Boots has pharmacy-led health and beauty retail businesses in 11* countries and operates more than 4,600* health and beauty retail stores, of which more than 4,450* have a pharmacy, with a fast growing online presence. In addition, Alliance Boots has around 600* optical practices, of which around 180* operate on a franchise basis, and hearingcare services in around 430* locations. Alliance Boots pharmaceutical wholesale businesses deliver over 4.5* billion units each year to more than 180,000* pharmacies, doctors, health centres and hospitals from over 370* distribution centres in 20* countries.
In June 2012, Alliance Boots announced that it had entered into a strategic partnership with Walgreens Co. (Walgreens), the largest drugstore chain in the US. In August 2014, Alliance Boots and Walgreens communicated that they plan to merge in the first quarter of calendar 2015 to create the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise, which will be named Walgreens Boots Alliance.
* Figures are approximations as at 31 March 2014, with the addition of Farmacias Ahumada data at the date of its acquisition on 11 August 2014, and include associates and joint ventures.
About BootsWebMD.com
BootsWebMD.com is a collaboration between Boots, one of the UK's most trusted pharmacy-led health and beauty retailers, and WebMD, one of the world's leading online health information sites. A team of UK-based health journalists and physicians ensures that all content is relevant and medically accurate. In addition to original content, BootsWebMD.com has partnered with leading content providers such as the British Medical Journal (BMJ Best Treatments) and the National Health Service from NHS Choices. Other site highlights include the WebMD Symptom Checker*, the Medicines and treatment centre, and slideshows and videos.
*THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general information purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the Boots WebMD Site. If you have an urgent medical problem please call your doctor, or NHS direct, immediately or in the case of emergencies dial 999.
[1] Online research conducted by ICM research for Boots UK. The research took place in September 2014, among 1,008 UK smokers.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stoptober-challenge-reaches-new-high-as-countrys-biggest-mass-quit-attempt. Last accessed September 2014
Note: 52,000 figure calculated by % of smokers who have not had a smokefree kiss for more than 5 years by number of smokers who participated in Stoptober 2013)