“I’m In” - Duncan Bannatyne Judges “Switch Ash for Cash” Schools Competition

LONDON - With Photo

To mark this year’s No Smoking Day, three ‘mini’ entrepreneurs today went
head-to-head to win a GBP2,000 investment from TV Dragon Duncan Bannatyne. In
a re-enactment of the TV challenge, the school children faced their toughest
challenge yet when they presented their big ideas on how they could encourage
parents to give up smoking.

Shannon Stokes, 9, from Neith, South Wales, won with her proposal to
support parents who want to quit. “Shannon’s Sweet Success” reminds parents
of the reasons they are giving up and rewards their quit attempts using
sweets.

Of the winner, Bannatyne says: “I was looking for a good idea, well
presented by someone with enthusiasm. A twenty-a-day smoker could save
GBP2,111 a year by quitting, so it makes financial sense, health sense and
good common sense. There’s no better time to quit than No Smoking Day.”

The No Smoking Day ‘Switch Ash for Cash’ competition comes on the back of
research that shows more than one in three (36%) of the nine million smokers
in the UK are thinking about or planning to cut down or quit as a direct
result of the economic downturn. The poll also shows that one in ten (9%)
will be taking the first step and making a quit attempt on No Smoking Day.

Women are more likely to cut down or think about giving up (40% compared
to 32% of male smokers). The report also found:

- 43% of smokers in Scotland and 33% of smokers in Wales are thinking
about or planning to cut down or quit because of the recession

- Smokers in the Midlands are most likely to quit because of the
recession

Almost three-quarters[1] of smokers would like to quit and No Smoking Day
is encouraging them to take the first step today by seeking advice from their
local stop smoking service, GP or pharmacist.

Dan Tickle, Chief Executive of the No Smoking Day charity said: “Giving
up cigarettes will boost your bank balance - but the health benefits are even
greater, including easier breathing, improved fitness and healthier hair,
nails and skin. It’s a fact that quitters also notice they have more energy
after only a matter of days.

“By choosing No Smoking Day to quit, smokers will be joining a million
others taking the first step to a healthier - and wealthier life. And you
don’t have to quit alone. You’re four times more likely to succeed if you use
a free NHS Stop Smoking Service.”

Shannon won GBP250 worth of gift tokens for her family and a GBP2,111
donation for her school, Clun Primary, Neith South Wales.

Runners-up, Isabella Dalton-Bunker and Daniel Thomas received GBP100
worth of family gift tokens.

Notes to Editors

Smokers considering Smokers
cutting down or quitting considering
because of the recession quitting on No
Smoking Day
East Midlands 48% 5%
West Midlands 44% 12%
South East 40% 11%
Yorkshire and 38% 9%
the Humber
East of England 37% 8%
North of England 33% 7%
North West 30% 7%
London 28% 7%
South West 28% 8%
Scotland 41% 12%
Wales 33% 13%

- For photographs of Duncan Bannatyne, Dan Tickle, or for take
the first step graphics, contact the No Smoking Day team (details
below).

- Case studies of celebrity and real-life quitters are
available from the No Smoking Day team (details below).

- No Smoking Day is organised by a charity of the same name run
by four full time staff. Based in London, the charity is funded by a
coalition of governmental and voluntary sector organisations with an
interest in health.

The charity aims to help people who want to stop smoking by creating a
supportive environment for them, and by highlighting the many sources of help
available to people who want to quit.

- Duncan Bannatyne holds an OBE and was recently awarded an
honorary Doctorate of Science from Glasgow Caledonian University for
services to business and charity. Earlier this month he was also
awarded an honorary degree in business from Teeside University. He has
been involved with charities including UNICEF and Scottish
International Relief, and he has recently launched the Bannatyne
Charitable Trust to support worthwhile causes.

He has appeared on Dragons’ Den since its first series.

- All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.
Total sample size was 4511 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between
12th and 18th February 2009. The survey was conducted online. The
figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults
(aged 18+).

- There are 9.4 million Smokers in the UK (Smoking and drinking
among adults, 2007)

- ISDN line available for interviews.

- National stop smoking telephone help lines:

England - 0800-169-0-169

Northern Ireland - 0800-85-85-85

Scotland - 0800-84-84-84

Wales - 0800-169-0-169

A picture accompanying this release is available through the PA
Photowire. It can be downloaded from www.pa-mediapoint.press.net or
viewed at www.mediapoint.press.net or www.prnewswire.co.uk.

www.nosmokingday.org.uk

[1] NHS Smokefree factsheet: facts on quitting

For further information, contact Elana McIntyre, PR & Marketing
Manager or Vishnee Sauntoo, Marketing Director on +44-(0)20-7739-5110 email:
elana@nosmokingday.org.uk / vishnee@nosmokingday.org.uk. Out of office press
mobile: +44-(0)7770-657-241

Source: No Smoking Day

For further information, contact Elana McIntyre, PR & Marketing Manager or Vishnee Sauntoo, Marketing Director on +44-(0)20-7739-5110 email: elana at nosmokingday.org.uk / vishnee at nosmokingday.org.uk. Out of office press mobile: +44-(0)7770-657-241