Victory For Rory And The Nicorette Quit & Run Challenge

VICTORY FOR RORY ANDTHE NICORETTE QUIT & RUN CHALLENGE Ex-smoker Rory Coleman isn't one to sit back and take it easy - he's about to finish the Nicorette* QUIT and Run challenge, running the length of England to visit Premiership football stadiums, in aid of the charity QUIT, which helps smokers through the process of stopping smoking. Rory started his run at Southampton on Friday 29th March. He will reach Newcastle in time for the 3 o'clock kick off against West Ham United on 27th April, having already visited the Tottenham, Leicester City, Aston Villa and Bolton grounds! Quitting smoking is not easy - however, research has shown that using nicotine replacement therapy, including Nicorette, to help you quit, doubles the chances of success compared to willpower alone.1 Rory, having himself smoked for nine years, understands the power of the nicotine addiction and the health benefits of stopping, commenting, "Over the years since quitting smoking I have realised just how anti- social it is and how addicted many people are to nicotine. I hope that people are inspired by the QUIT and Run Challenge and feel that they can quit smoking and start a new, healthier lifestyle." Rory was inspired to stop smoking by his brother, Doncaster GP Dr. Matyn Coleman. Dr. Coleman warned his brother that he would not reach the age of forty unless he cut out the cigarettes and is now understandable very proud of his brother, commenting "Rory's remarkable single-mindedness enabled him to stop smoking AND drinking at the same time. This must serve as inspiration to people at risk of heart and lung disease. Hopefully more people will be inspired to take the most important step they can ever to protect their future health by quitting. Such will power is impressive but in reality only 3% succeed with will power alone. Many people do not seek any help, such as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) or counselling. Such treatments as NRT or Buproprion along with counselling can significantly improve ones chances of quitting. Furthermore these treatments are now available on prescription." At the Newcastle ground, Rory will be entertaining fans with an amusing pre-match sketch. Watched by his wife, Rory and members of Newcastle's youth academy will beat the irritating "Craving Man" cigarette-shaped character with giant pieces of Nicorette Gum. Pharmacia, the makers of Nicorette, are also sponsoring a competition in the match programme for fans to win a shirt signed by the Newcastle players. The Nicorette QUIT and Run Challenge is no small feat but Rory is used to a challenge. In the last seven years Rory has taken part in no less than 314 races, totalling over 10,000 miles! Surprising statistics when you consider that 40 year old Rory smoked for 9 years of his life. He's a shining example of the life changing effect of quitting smoking and Steve Crone, Chief executive of QUIT, believes that people can learn from his experiences. "We are so pleased that Rory has chosen to support QUIT and we hope that people will take inspiration from him. Rory can show those who want to quit that it is possible if people are given appropriate motivation and support." References 1 Silagy, C. et al. "Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation (Cochrane Review)." The Cochrane Library, issue 4, 2001 EDITOR'S NOTES · Rory lives in Long Eaton and is married with five children. · Rory started smoking when he was 19 at art school, and gave up on Boxing Day 1993. · His first marathon was in Telford in November 1994. *Helps you stop smoking. Requires willpower. Contains nicotine. Always read the label. The following Nicorette products are available: · Nicorette Nasal Spray - appropriate for heavy smokers requiring rapid craving relief · Nicorette Gum - flexible dosing of nicotine allowing control of cravings for a cigarette · Nicorette Patch - simple and discreet delivery of a controlled dose of nicotine suitable for those who do not want to be reminded about smoking · Nicorette Inhalator - addresses both the physical and behavioural aspects of smoking and is suitable for those who miss the hand to mouth action of smoking · Nicorette Microtab - discreet tablet which slowly dissolves under the tongue formulated for those who do not want to draw attention to their quit attempt · For further information, please contact Abby Webster or Siân Boisseau on 020 7313 6300 or e-mail abby.webster@shirehall.co.uk or sian.boisseau@shirehall.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/04/22/20020422BIT01510/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/04/22/20020422BIT01510/wkr0002.pdf