Do you have the eX-Smoker Factor?

Peter Selby was helped to quit smoking by Sarah Treadwell-Whitlock (middle).

Ex-smokers could win a number of prizes by sharing their quitting story, including family tickets to Coughton Court, Charlecote Park and Upton House and tickets to Hatton Adventure World and Warwick Castle.

Among last year’s winners was Peter Selby, whose Stop Smoking advisor Sarah Treadwell-Whitlock not only helped him to quit smoking, but also potentially saved his and his family’s life. Sarah, who works at Croft Medical Centre in Leamington, noticed he had a high carbon monoxide reading after he quit - so Peter had his gas appliances checked and the cooker was found to be leaking large amounts of the deadly gas.

County councillor Les Caborn, responsible for policy on health, said: “This competition provides people with even more incentive and support to try to stop smoking. Sharing the giving up experience will motivate others to try to give up too.”

Entrants should send their quitting story by email or blog post or create a video diary by January 31. For details on how to enter, visit exsmokerfactor.com

Those wishing to quit smoking can find their nearest NHS Stop Smoking service online at www.quit4good.co.uk, by texting ‘LIFE’ (free of charge) to 80800 or calling 0800 085 2917.