Shropshire smokers encouraged to swap fags for gags

Smokers in Shropshire are being encouraged to kick the habit with the help of humour this October.

Stoptober 2014, launched this week, has enrolled top British comedians including Paddy McGuinness, Al Murray, Simon Brodkin (aka Lee Nelson, Jason Bent and Dr Bob) and Andi Osho, will this year bring a touch of the British sense of humour to help quitters through this challenging time.

Now in its third successful year, Public Health England’s 28-day stop smoking challenge is being supported by Shropshire Council’s public health team to encourage smokers in Shropshire to swap their fags for gags, to help them quit for good this October.

The 2013 campaign saw 250,000 people across the country take part and 65% of those successfully quitting for 28 days.  In Shropshire 1,051 people signed up to take part in Stoptober 2013.  Shropshire’s public health team is hoping even more will get involved this year by signing up to the campaign.

People taking part in Stoptober will be provided with a detailed 28-day step-by-step programme to support them in their smokefree attempt.  Stoptober provides smokers with a range of free tools as well as encouragement and support from thousands of people quitting together through Stoptober social media channels.  This includes:

• a new stop smoking pack
• a 28-day mobile phone app
• text support with daily updates
• quitting advice and tips for coping.

For those wanting additional support throughout the campaign, Shropshire’s Help2Quit service is on hand to offer free advice, support and treatment to help you stop smoking (prescription charges may apply).  Specially-trained Help2Quit advisers, including practice nurses, midwives, pharmacists and school nurses, are available in venues across the county to help you to put your plan to stop smoking into action.  The Help2Quit team offers services at GP practices pharmacies, community venues, supermarkets and specialist pregnancy services throughout the county.

Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, said:

“As a previous smoker I know how daunting and hard it is to give up.  It’s great to see this year that Stoptober is focusing on humour to help those taking up the challenge.  Humour is a good way to deliver important messages in a way that is likely to resonate with people without being antagonistic.

“There are so many benefits to being smoke free.  Saving money, not feeling guilt or shame, taking pride in your accomplishment and knowing that your health improves every day are just some of the many positives.  I really would urge those either considering giving up, to take up the Stoptober challenge.  If you need any additional support our Help2Quit service is only a phone call away.”

The 28-day challenge starts on Tuesday 1 October 2014.  For more information and to join the biggest stop smoking challenge of its kind, go to: https://stoptober.smokefree.nhs.uk/registration-b

You can also follow the campaign @Stoptober on Twitter and Like on Facebook at Facebook.com/stoptober and check out the new Stoptober blog at nhs.uk/stoptoberblog for loads of content from Al Murray, Andi Osho, Jason Bent & Dr Bob, as well as handy guides, tips & more.  To view Stoptober’s videos click here: http://www.youtube.com/user/stoptoberchallenge

For help and advice about giving up smoking in Shropshire, call Help2Quit on 01743 453537, or email Help2Quit@shropcom.nhs.uk .  You can also visit their website at http://www.shropscommunityhealth.nhs.uk/rte.asp?id=10272#tocHeaderLoc0

Further information

Stoptober launched this week with a three-minute TV ‘sketch show’ during the Emmerdale ad break, fronted by the leading comedy line-up and surprise guests.  It will then be followed by a three-week recruitment campaign to get as many smokers as possible in Shropshire ready to quit on 1 October.

A nationwide roadshow running from 8 September to 11 October will also see comedic entertainers go into communities across the country to drive more people to get involved in the campaign and share their own humorous experiences of quitting smoking or supporting others.

Evidence shows that if a smoker can go 28 days without a cigarette, they are five times more likely to stay permanently smoke-free.  Quitting smoking can be a difficult process but successfully quitting has significant health, monetary and social benefits.

• Stoptober is created and funded in England by Public Health England (PHE).  PHE exists to protect and improve the nation’s health and well-being, and reduce health inequalities.  It does this through advocacy, partnerships, world-class science, knowledge and intelligence, and the delivery of specialist public health services.  PHE is an operationally autonomous executive agency of the Department of Health.  For more information on PHE visit www.gov.uk/phe or follow us on Twitter @PHE_uk and @PHE_WestMids.