Patricia Hewitt, MP for Leicester West, visited Braunstone Health and Social Care Centre today to celebrate Stop Smoking Day.

Patricia joined Louise Ross, Manager of STOP! to meet with Fit & Active Buddies and Calorie Killers, who are working as peer mentors to help people in the west of the city who want to stop smoking. Patricia congratulated them on their success and listen to their individual stories of how they have either quit or cut down their smoking.

Patricia said, “I am really looking forward to this visit. What is fantastic to see is these members of these groups actively encouraging others to improve their health by either quitting or cutting down their smoking.”

Louise Ross, from STOP! Smoking service said, “It’s been a really good way of linking up different ways of improving people’s health, especially in Braunstone – these groups are run by and for local people, and are very popular in the community.”

During Calorie Killers sessions, individuals carbon monoxide levels are tested and smokers are often very surprised with the outcome.

 Mr Johnson, from New Parks said, “I smoke about 50 roll ups a day, I won’t ever quit but to get the highest score in the group is disgusting! I need to cut down!