Did you know that a quarter of Gwynedd adults are smokers – above the Welsh average of 23% and the British average of 20%?

It is well publicised that the health benefits of giving up smoking are innumerable – smoking can cause different sorts of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and all sorts of breathing difficulties.

It can also be an expensive habit, with a pack of cigarettes costing around £6.50, so someone who smokes 20 a day could save around £200 a month or more than £2,000 in a year.

Councillor John Wyn Williams, Gwynedd Council’s Senior Care Portfolio Leader, said: “National figures show that nearly two thirds of smokers want to quit, and everyone has their own reasons for packing it in, from health reasons, financial reasons or fear of the effect on their family and others around them.

“But cracking the addiction can be one of the most difficult things an individual does so the Council is dedicated to providing help and support where we can.

“I would urge anyone who wants to give up in the near future or who is concerned about the effects of smoking on their health, to drop by one of the Council-run sessions for more information and support.”

There are events organised for all areas of the county on Wednesday, 14 March aimed at giving smokers a helping had to kick the addiction. People are being urged to look out for activities in their area:

ARFON

• Ty Cegin, Bangor

Information day with healthy living agencies to help people, especially parents, to give up smoking; 12-4pm.

• Plas Pawb, Caernarfon

Throughout the week, stop smoking group sessions will be held.

• Arfon Leisure Centre, Caernarfon

Information will be available to help people who wish to give up smoking.

DWYFOR

• Dwyfor Leisure Centre, Pwllheli and Glaslyn Leisure Centre, Porthmadog

Fitter Quitter Campaign: Between 10am-12pm and 6-8pm centre staff will be giving presentations to help people who want to give up smoking.

MEIRIONNYDD

• Caban Bach, Blaenau Ffestiniog

Stop smoking group sessions and drop in sessions for parents will be held.

Also, school nurses in all of the county’s secondary schools will be providing information and holding activities aimed at encouraging young smokers give up and to educate children not to start in the first place.

Sessions will also be held in youth clubs across the county, aimed at helping young people to make the right decision when it comes to smoking.

The Council’s Children and Young People’s Partnership will also be spreading information to young people through a special Facebook campaign.