Council workers aim to kick the habit

Mar 10 2010 by Julie Watt, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

TWO council workers are aiming to conquer their smoking addiction.

Alex Haswell, the director of the chief executive service, and Harry Thomson, head of business strategy for DG First, have decided to stub out their habit.

The determined duo, who between them have smoked for more than 60 years, have chosen national no smoking day, which is today, to quit.

Alex, aged 55, has puffed his way through around 30 cigarettes a day since he was 18-years-old.

“It seemed like the macho thing to do back then,” he said.

“I would like to quit for my 10-year-old son who always asks me to kick the habit.

“I have tried a few times before but this time I am extremely determined.”

And Harry, aged 44, sparked up his first cigarette when he was only 13-years-old. He is determined to kick his 20-a-day habit.

He said: “I’m not getting any younger and I have always wanted to stop.

“In my 20s I said I would stop when I got to 30, then in my 30s I said I would stop when I reached 40 and I am still hooked. But this time I have went public and I am determined to stop for good.”

The pair are urging other smokers to attempt to quit.

Alex said: “Hopefully other smokers will use national no smoking day as a good incentive to try and stop.”

Smoking is responsible for around 13,000 deaths and 35,500 hospital admissions in Scotland each year.

Anyone who wants to stop smoking can contact Smoking Matters on 0845 602 6861 for advice.