Perth’s quit4u anti-smoking scheme signs up 500th member

A scheme to encourage smokers to kick the habit has seen 500 Perth puffers sign up in its first year.

NHS Tayside’s quit4u scheme was launched in Dundee in March 2009 and was extended into north Perth Letham, Muirton, North Muirton, Fairfield and Tulloch in November.

It offers eligible smokers £12.50 in supermarket credit per week if they pass a carbon monoxide breath test.

Over the summer, NHS Tayside rolled the project out to central Perth, North Inch, South Inch, Moncrieffe, Friarton, Gannochy and Walnut Grove.

The smoking cessation team were at Asda Dunkeld Road on Saturday to chat to shoppers and invite them to commit to quit4u.

There are an estimated 23,000 adult smokers in Perth and Kinross almost 25% of the population.

However in disadvantaged areas the number is much higher, with Letham at 33%, Muirton 32%, Tulloch 35% and Rattray 27%.

The quit rate for quit4u after four weeks is around 50%, compared to 28% for those not on the scheme.

The initiative follows a similar approach to Give It Up For Baby, which supports pregnant smokers to quit.

Smokers in Perth who want to join can sign up at any pharmacy or any stop-smoking group, or by calling 0845 6009996.