NATIONAL No Smoking Day 1984 was sponsored for the first time by a coalition of national organisations, with a budget of £50,000. The aim of the event was to obtain maximum publicity for smoking and health and to encourage smokers to attempt to give up, at least for the day. Evaluation revealed that the day generated considerable publicity, stimulating at least 1140 reports in the media, with 13 each on national TV and radio. It was also widely supported at local level. Up to 1.8 million smokers took part by giving up, attempting to give up, or reducing consumption on the day. An estimated 500,000 reported that they were smoking less three months later, as a result of hearing about the day. Follow up research suggested that these results could be improved by laying greater emphasis on helping smokers to give up, rather than on "anti-smoking", in future. Similar levels of awareness and participa tion were achieved in 1985, according to preliminary analysis.
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