Bingo bid to help city smokers

Aug 6 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

HEALTH bosses are targeting some of the most hardcore smokers in the city with a clickety click.

Birmingham bingo players are being urged to shout "help" rather than "house" as part of the latest quit smoking campaign.

Stop smoking advisers hope drop-in sessions and roadshows at bingo halls across the region will prove lucky for some, by helping them quit before the habit leads to illnesses like lung cancer.

Free bingo dabber pens branded with the Birmingham Call to Quit freephone number on them are also being handed out.

Pauline Beale, smoking nurse adviser for Birmingham North and East Primary Care Trust (PCT), said the focus was on bingo halls as they are traditionally a haven for smokers.

"We felt we should support the bingo players at our local Mecca as we wanted them to know that the Stop Smoking Service is there to support those who want to quit now or at any time in the future," said Pauline.

The new smoke-free laws means smokers can no longer light up in bingo halls or other enclosed public buildings.

Daniel Masih, team leader at Mecca bingo hall in Kingstanding, said weekly drop-in sessions from health experts were being held there.

While Jane Beach, Stop Smoking specialist for South Birmingham PCT, said a recent roadshow at Shipleys bingo club, in Weoley Castle, had also been popular.

Smokers who want help to give it up can contact the Call to Quit free phoneline on 0800 05 25 855 or text QUIT to 80800.