Gays urged to ditch the cigarettes on No Smoking Day

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a white background.

Gay smokers have been urged to give up on the British Heart Foundation’s 29th annual No Smoking Day.

Over a third of gay men in the UK smoke, compared with the national average of 21 per cent.

Vishnee Sauntoo, from the No Smoking Day campaign, said: “Make No Smoking Day the day you say goodbye to an expensive habit that can ruin your health and your looks, and say hello to a brighter, healthier smokefree future.

“We are urging all smokers in the LGBT community to try and ditch their cigarettes for good by taking part in the biggest single quit day in the UK.”

The British Heart Foundation said three quarters of a million people resolve to quit smoking on No Smoking Day.

According to ASH figures, 58 percent of adults say they have never smoked and the proportion of UK adults who do smoke has fallen from 51 percent of men and 41 percent of women in 1974 to 22 and 21 percent, respectively.

Smokers who want to quit can visit www.taketheleap.co.uk or call 0800 434 6677 to find information on stop smoking services and top tips for quitting.