Perth smokers urged to get on their bikes and quit

Oct 2 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Getting in a cycle to quit smoking

SMOKERS are being encouraged to “get on your bike and stub it out”.

And to drive home the message, a member of NHS Tayside’s smoking cessation team has cycled a round trip of over 120 miles between hospital sites to promote the message.

Smoking Policy Liaison Officer Alister Barclay embarked on the sponsored cycle-a-thon from Ninewells Hospital to Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) then on to Stracathro Hospital and back to Ninewells with staff at all three sites cheering him on.

Money raised is to be donated to Ninewells antenatal unit.

“As an ex-smoker of over seven years now, I found exercise was a great way of keeping my mind off the cigarettes when I was giving them up,” Alister said. “Since then I have kept fitness as part of my day-to-day life. If I had kept up my 30-a-day habit, I certainly wouldn’t have the breath or stamina to complete this challenge!”

At his first stop on the cyclethon, Alister unveiled some new signs at PRI with his colleagues from Tayside’s Smoke Free Hospital team.

Alister also encourages patients and staff who are smokers and wishing to give up, by referring them onto NHS Tayside’s Smoke Free Service.

NHS Tayside Smoke Free Services can be contacted on (0845) 600 999 6.