Dudley councillor kicking the habit for charity (From Dudley News)

Dudley councillor kicking the habit for charity

8:10am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News

DUDLEY’S finance boss who smokes 15 cigarettes a day is hoping to kick the habit while raising money for the Mayor’s charities.

Councillor Pete Lowe, the council’s cabinet member for finance, is taking part in the Government’s public health Stoptober campaign to quit smoking throughout October.

And Cllr Lowe, who has smoked for 28 years since the age of 16, will stump up around £100 for the Mayor’s charities in the money he saves through not buying cigarettes.

The ward representative for Lye and Stourbridge North will be making a video diary, which will be posted on the council’s YouTube site every week throughout the month, so residents can keep up-to-date on his progress.

Cllr Lowe, who celebrated his 44th birthday on October 1 – the first day of the campaign - said: “I hope by doing it for charity and doing it very publicly will help me keep to it and not only get through the month but also quit smoking for good. The council is also now taking on responsibility for public health issues so I thought it was appropriate that we look to lead by example.”

Councillor Zafar Islam, cabinet member for public health and well-being, said: “Our public health team has a stop smoking team which supports people to quit. We will be working closing with Councillor Lowe to help him through the month and we wish him all the best.”

All money raised through savings by Councillor Lowe will be donated to the Mayor of Dudley’s charities, which are the Stroke association and Diabetes UK.

For more information about the Dudley Stop Smoking Service call 0800 0850 652, text CAN to 80800 or visit dudleystopsmoking.co.uk

To see Cllr Lowe's video diary click here.