This is national No Smoking Day – and smokers in Inverness and across the Highlands wishing to kick the habit can get advice on support available locally.
The NHS Highland smoking cessation service will have stands at the Robertson Health Centre at Alness, from 9am to 12.30pm, and at the Health Centre in Invergordon County Community Hospital, from 1pm to 4.30pm.
Eve MacLennan, stop smoking adviser for Ross and Cromarty and West Ness, covering the Tain, Strathpeffer, Dingwall, Beauly, Muir of Ord, Black Isle and Drumnadrochit areas, will be on hand to provide information about smoking and advice to smokers who want to quit.
Breath tests will be offered to smokers showing how much carbon monoxide there is in their body.
Miss MacLennan said: “Anyone who wants to give up smoking can come along and learn about the support available, such as free, confidential help and advice and prescriptions for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
“Smokers who attend the smoking cessation service and who use NRT are four times more likely to successfully quit smoking than those who go it alone.”
Smoking cessation midwives Claire MacPhee and Lorna MacAskill will run a stall at the Co-op supermarket on Telford Street, Inverness, between 10am and 2pm today.
Other stalls will be set-up at Co-op stores at Broadford and Portree, and at Morrisons in Fort William.
Ms MacAskill said: “Women often look at their lifestyle when they are pregnant to ensure they are looking after themselves and their unborn babies.
“We offer one-to-one support to stop smoking for them and their families. We can also give advice on how to make their homes smoke free.”
For information phone Smoking Cessation Service on 01349 869214 or Smokeline on 0800 84 84 84 from noon to midnight daily.