Dragon's Den star urges local people to stub it out for local kids
Friday 22nd June 2007
Dragon's Den star Duncan Bannatyne is calling on smokers in Leeds who are planning to quit ahead of the July 1st ban to give themselves an extra incentive by supporting local children's appeal Kids Count Trust.
Duncan, who is fiercely anti-smoking, is asking that £4.90 each month, the cost of only one packet of cigarettes, is donated to the appeal by standing order.
Across the UK, 24% of the population still smoke either cigarettes, cigars or a pipe. In Yorkshire and The Humber, the figure is higher amongst men, with 27% being smokers. From 1st of July 2007 virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England will become smoke free. As many as 34% of the North's smokers are planning to give up smoking when it is banned, according to recent research*.
Duncan Bannatyne said: "NHS figures show 106,000 people in the UK die each year due to smoking. Once the ban comes into force the atmosphere in pubs, clubs and workplaces will be greatly enhanced and lives will be saved.
"As well as the obvious health benefits, if every smoker who is planning to quit donates the cost of just one packet of cigarettes every month to Kids Count many sick and disadvantaged children in West Yorkshire will also be helped. This is less than the cost of one cigarette a day and a fraction of the amount that stopping smoking will save the average person. This small amount of money will do a great deal of good."
Paul Jackson, Kids Count Trust Manager said: "We rely on the local community to support our organistation and help us to make the lives of needy children in our area a little bit better.
"We are so pleased that Duncan Bannatyne is supporting this new initiative and hope that many people will sign up and pledge the cost of 20 cigarettes each month to help us. Of course, we would also be delighted if non-smokers give us their support and make a small donation."
