Kicking the habit... with the Co op!

WE did it . . . Michael Johnson is pictured (centre) with Kevin and Julie Gilroy

DELPH couple Kevin and Julie Gilroy have become the first to kick their 20-a-day smoking habit with a little help from The Co-operative Pharmacy.

The pair signed up to the smoking cessation programme at The Co-op in Greenfield — the only pharmacy in Saddleworth to offer the service — two months ago. They have now been smoke-free for six weeks.

Kevin said: “We’re so proud of ourselves for keeping to the programme. We have not just committed to improving our health, we are saving money as well.

“We certainly couldn’t have done it without the help of the staff at The Co-operative Pharmacy though.”

In conjunction with Oldham Community Health Services, the smoking cessation service is available free of charge to all customers at the store in Chew Valley Road.

Pharmacy manager Michael Johnson said: “We only began to offer the service earlier this year so to have our first successful participants is great news.

“Unfortunately, not everyone manages to complete the programme.

“Kevin and Julie were determined to quit and that’s half the battle. We are delighted they kept up their will-power and can now be classed as former smokers.”

The programme involves an initial assessment of the patient, basic counselling techniques, advice on the risks of smoking and the setting of targets, before actual nicotine replacement therapy is prescribed. Patients then return on a weekly basis for checks and encouragement to help them refrain from smoking.