Smokers will be encouraged to ‘stub out and come up smelling of roses’ at this week’s Wisbech Rose Fair.

Camquit, Cambridgeshire’s Stop Smoking Service, will have a stall at the event advising people of the benefits of quitting smoking as it is reported that nearly 22 per cent of the population in Fenland smoke – higher than any other district in the county.

Last year, over 500 smokers in Fenland who used Camquit were registered as successfully quitting after four weeks, reducing their risk of ill health and early death.

Claire Mead, Camquit Coordinator at Cambridgeshire County Council, said that smoking is dangerous to a person’s sense of smell and taste.

“There are over 4000 chemicals found in cigarettes which damage nerve endings. Our ability

to smell helps protect us against harmful smells such as a gas leak, fire or spoiled food”.

She said the effects of quitting smoking are instantly noticeable.

“Just 48 hours after quitting smoking nerve endings start to re-grow and the sense of smell and taste begins to return to normal.”

Camquit will have a stall on Wisbech Market Place for The Rose Fair on Friday and Saturday 10am - 4pm.

For more information about giving up smoking, contact Camquit on 0800 018 4304 or www.camquit.nhs.uk.