SMOKERS in Cumbria are being encouraged to celebrate Christmas this year by using local services to help them quit, and treat themselves and their loved ones to an extra special gift as they improve their health and save money.

Free support and advice from Cumbria County Council comes as many will be feeling the pinch of Christmas this year, with some already considering how they could free up money in the run up to next Christmas.

Local people choosing to stop smoking can expect to feel the health benefits immediately with breathing becoming easier and energy levels increasing after just 72 hours.

On average, a pack-a-day smoker will save around £250 each month and can save up to £3,000 a year by going smoke free. Savings could pay for an extra special Christmas in 2017, or simply to help your budget stretch further each week.

Cumbria County Council’s support line offers free guidance and advice on how to quit smoking. Get in touch by calling 03000 13 3000.

Andrea Crossfield, chief executive of Healthier Futures, a social enterprise working to help people in Cumbria live longer, healthier, happier lives said: "Quitting smoking is the single best thing you can do for your health. If you stop smoking even a week before Christmas, by 25 December your blood oxygen and carbon monoxide levels will both have returned to normal. Breathing becomes easier and energy levels increase. And your ability to taste and smell is improved.

"It will also save money which could go towards a magical Christmas next year or enjoying more every day pleasures with your family throughout 2017.”

Colin Cox, director of Public Health for Cumbria County Council, said: "There has never been a better time to quit. Research shows that two thirds of smokers want to quit and our local support line can help you to achieve this through friendly, expert advice and support. Also, there is now strong evidence that vaping and e-cigarettes are considerably less harmful than smoking tobacco and that there is a strong case to be made for encouraging smokers who can’t or don’t want to quit to make the switch to vaping instead.

"The key messages I want to promote are if you don’t smoke, don’t start vaping; if you do smoke, stop altogether if you can – and our pharmacies can help; and if you can’t stop, or don’t want to – switch to vaping.

"You don’t need to go through your quit journey alone. Join together with friends, family and colleagues to support each other through your quit attempt."

Currently 77,423 people smoke in Cumbria. The more people that quit, the healthier local communities become and extra savings could boost the local economy.