As of July 1st 2007 smoking in public places was stubbed out and in conjunction with this ban numerous stop smoking groups have joined forces to create the British Association for Stop Smoking Practitioners (BASSP).

Doug Naysmith, Member of Parliament for Bristol North West, attended the launch in the House of Commons.  He said: “I am delighted that BASSP has been established and I look forward to seeing it play a leading role in the many stop smoking initiatives that are central to our key health policies.”

The Chair of newly formed organisation, Gillian Bruce, spoke of how the stop smoking services were essential to helping people to give up smoking.  In particular she highlighted that those who used the services of Stop Smoking Professionals can double their chances of stubbing out that final cigarette.

The 1st July anti smoking act is a crucial high point for the stop smoking groups. Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) estimate that 689,000 people will quit smoking within the 1st year of the ban, 1 in 20 will use the NHS and the remaining thirty four and a half thousand will find the support from their local services.

And being a grass roots initiative, BASSP will respond directly to needs expressed by practitioners.