Today is the day when mothers across the country should be putting their feet up and having a well-earned rest!

We all know mothers have a lot to cope with and many smokers use cigarettes as a way of dealing with the pressures and tensions of the day. However, there are many other ways of relieving yourself of stress without affecting your or your family’s health.

Smoking is dangerous and can severely affect the health of your child and for this reason many mothers or mothers-to-be are embarrassed or scared to come forward and ask for help if they want to give up.

Fresh Start Wales has teamed up with the Mamss (Models for Access to Maternal Smoking cessation Support) scheme to help mothers-to-be kick the habit and go smoke-free for themselves and their children.

Julie Evans, a mid-wife who has worked in a team helping mothers-to-be kick the habit, knows how important it is to provide a support network for mothers who have the courage to ask for assistance and advice on giving up.

“Mothers and mothers-to-be need help, support and guidance. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help and for that they should be commended, not judged.”

Here are some of Julie’s top tips for kicking the habit:

• Distract yourself from cravings by going for a walk, doing the dishes or eat a piece of fruit
• Drink cold water in sips instead of puffing on a cigarette
• Tell your family so they can support you
• If you are a mother-to-be, tell your midwife – she will be able to help you access support programmes and offer any encouragement you might need

The Mamss scheme has been a huge success and this is down to the gentle guidance of the team and the supportive nature of the programme.

It is so important for families to stick together and help each other through difficult times. So this Mother’s Day, show your mum you care by being supportive of her efforts to quit.

If you are a mother yourself, repay your family for their love by giving up for good. With all the money you could save on cigarettes you could book a day at a spa, go on a shopping spree or even book the family a nice, relaxing holiday!