News
Local services available to help people quit smoking ahead of ‘National No Smoking Day’
Cork Kerry Community Healthcare smoking cessation experts are reminding the public that tomorrow (Wednesday) is National No Smoking Day. As a result, the HSE is calling on people who smoke to prepare to take the 28-day #TheLastStop no smoking challenge in March – and local support is available.
Research shows that four in five people (79%) who smoke intend to kick the habit, and those who succeed in quitting for 28 days are five times more likely to quit for good.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic was a trigger for some to start smoking again. This is not surprising given that many use smoking as a way of managing stress, but the fact is that smoking does not actually reduce stress but speeds up the heart rate, which increases blood pressure, and increases stress. The good news is that within one to two days of quitting oxygen levels in your body will improve, your blood pressure and pulse reduce which in turn decreases the overall stress on your body.
“The Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Smoking Cessation Service is free and available to you today, to support you to quit smoking,” Anna Burns, Tobacco Control Manager, Health & Wellbeing, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, said. “During the COVID-19 pandemic we have maintained our service, due to the importance of quitting for health. The World Health Organisation stated in 2020 that smokers are more likely to develop severe disease with COVID-19 compared to non-smokers. Quitting immediately reduces the risk of respiratory infection. Smoking further damages blood vessels, and this is linked to the development of more severe symptoms from COVID-19. If you have an existing health condition we particularly encourage you to quit. Your local Smoking Cessation Advisor is there to support you by phone or virtual consultation. It is never too late. Now is the ideal time.”
SUPPORT
The HSE QUIT service provides personalised, free support by phone, email, SMS and live chat. Smokers can free call 1800 201 203, FreeText QUIT to 50100 or visit www.QUIT.ie for stop smoking tips and resources, a free QUIT Kit, and to create a QUIT Plan.
Peer-to-peer support is available on the QUIT Facebook Page www.facebook.com/HSEQUIT or on Twitter at HSE QUIT @HSEQuitTeam
You can also contact your local Smoking Cessation service in Kerry by calling Margaret Enright on 087 1219618.
Five Top Tips to Quit Smoking:
1. Prepare to quit: take a moment to write down your reasons for quitting. Keep them close to hand or even stick them on your fridge as a reminder to stay strong.
2. Change your routine and habits - do you normally have a cigarette with a coffee or tea? Then change your routine – have a cup of water instead or hold your cup in the other hand.
3. Keep check on cravings – your craving for nicotine will peak at 3-5 minutes and will pass if you deal with it.
Have your heard of the 4Ds?
· Delay at least 3 – 5 minutes and the urge will pass,
· Drink a glass of water or fruit juice,
· Distract yourself, move away from the situation,
· Deep breathe – breathe slowly and deeply.
4. Get by with a little help from your friends – supportive friends, family and even work colleagues could make all the difference to you on your QUIT journey.
5. The single best advice is to help yourself QUIT by getting support from the QUIT Team. Our service is available to everyone and is free of charge. By using a support service like our makes you twice as likely to succeed.
Killarney judoka gain international experience in Bath
Eight members of Killarney Judo Club travelled to England last weekend for an international training camp at the University of Bath, with club member Ciara Forde competing at the West of England competition.
Accompanying five families, the young athletes joined 120 competitors from across the UK for two days of training and sparring in a high-performance environment.
The trip provided many of the judoka with their first opportunity to train alongside international athletes. It also offered members a look at a purpose-built facility, supporting the club’s push for a dedicated dojo at the Derreen Sports Project.
Coach Tim Kelly said:
“This camp gave our players the opportunity to test themselves in a challenging environment. Bath University has a proud history of producing Olympians, and we hope the experience inspires our young judoka to aim even higher.”
The club takes a summer break before returning on August 13 to prepare three members for their Black Belt grading later this year. Children’s classes resume on Monday, September 7. New members can contact Tim Kelly on 086 260 1591.
Felicity’s Summer in Killarney — Chapter 6
A weekly series from Killarney Advertiser’s Jess Jukes
Felicity and Auntie Sheila went to meet Jack feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after their time at the spa. He was already sat at a table when they arrived.
“How was that?” he asked. “Oh it was lovely! Between the hiking the other day and the spa I feel like a new girl!”
They all sat and chatted quietly while they were served their tea and nibbles. There was still no news about Anthony, the hiker they had helped off Carrauntoohil. Auntie Sheila mentioned the annual garden competition in Hedgerow Place, and joked about how she would have to put Felicity and Jack to work in order to have the garden ready in time.
“Even if I don’t win anything,” she said, “Mrs Flaherty is sure to complain if my garden isn’t a pristine background for when they photograph her tulips.”
Felicity grinned and said “You talk as if she’s already won, but Mr McCarthy from No. 48 will give her a run for her money.”
The rivalry between Mrs Flaherty and Mr McCarthy was legendary within Hedgerow Place and the neighbouring estates. Mr McCarthy kept garden gnomes to decorate his lawn, and Mrs Flaherty despised them. She often loudly compared them to little devil-spawn.
Felicity, Jack and Auntie Sheila sent the afternoon quietly giggling and soaking up the atmosphere of the hotel. The tranquillity of Aghadoe was a marvel, especially so close to town. After enjoying the food and tea the trio made their separate ways home.
Felicity retreated up the creaky stairs to the guestroom, a small box room at the back of her aunt’s house. It was cosy inside, plush blankets covered the bed and a wardrobe stood in the corner. The lace curtained window let beams of light into the room, illuminating dust in it’s path.
Felicity was about to settle into the desk chair when she heard a loud meow. She paused, and sure enough she heard it again. After a few minutes of searching she found Socks inside her wardrobe. She had no idea how he had gotten there. She laughed as she scooped him up, giving him a cuddle and plonking herself down on her chair.
Felicity was enjoying the summer in Killarney. It was far from what she had expected, but she found that she didn’t mind. It would be a shame to leave Auntie Sheila’s when summer ended. At the start of the summer Felicity had worried over her parents banishing her to Kerry, but now she found she wouldn’t mind spending more time here in the future.
Felicity found that she greatly preferred Killarney to Dublin. Killarney was more friendly and bright. The air was cleaner and it was more relaxed.
She gently manoeuvred around Socks and opened her laptop. Talking about potential career paths to Auntie Sheila earlier today had left an impression. With how much she enjoyed Killarey, it was well worth considering basing her next steps here. Maybe she would send in that application after all.
Festival Time
A few days passed, and there was still no news in the Killarney Advertiser about Anthony. However, there were ads a-plenty. Summer was here and organisations were advertising festivals and events all over the town. One that caught Felicity’s eye in particular was Bikefest.
The hype around the event was incredible, and when she asked Jack about it he told her it was one of the best weekends of the year, as long as you weren’t trying to drive anywhere. Auntie Sheila gleefully agreed, saying she would much rather be at a tribute band concert singing her heart out than stuck in traffic orders of magnitude worse than the regular fare.
When Felicity had expressed interest in attending, Jack and Auntie Sheila had immediately pounced on the idea. They were checking the weather, looking for the line up in the Advertiser and discussing where to eat. It was decided that they were all going to go on Sunday and spend time in the sun listening to the live music. Jack and Felicity were determined to get Auntie Sheila onto some of the rides, much to her dismay.
On Sunday morning Auntie Sheila and Felicity met Jack at the bottom of the estate to watch the bike parade before retreating inside for a hearty Irish breakfast.
By the time they left the sun was shining in the sky, warm yet gentle with the light breeze that accompanied it. It felt like being hugged by the sun. As they left the estate, Jack turned around. “Sheila,” he asked, “is that your cat following us?”
Indeed, Socks was trotting behind them following them out of the estate. Auntie Sheila didn’t even glance back. “Almost definitely. Socks likes a good walk, don’t you Socks?” The cat stopped and meowed at them, as if denying any such thing.
Socks continued to slink along the pavement as far as Randles Townhouse before he disappeared into the housing sprawl.
The crowds of people at Bikefest were immense. It was hands down the busiest Felicity had ever seen. All ages could be seen around the festival. The group did a few round of the stalls, picking up little keepsakes. Auntie Sheila bought herself a new ACDC t-shirt.
They were standing near the entrance watching one of the organised ride-outs depart when Jack tilted his head. “Do you smell that?” he asked Felicity. She shook her head, but he was too busy peering over the crowd to see it. She saw his eyebrows shoot up as he left her and her aunt, making a beeline towards something Felicity could not see.
She said goodbye to her aunt, who laughed softly at her predicament. Felicity sighed in return and followed after Jack, wondering what sort of trouble they’d find themselves in next.
