Over 23,000 quit for Stoptober across West Midlands as smoking rates reach an all-time low

News from our partners Public Health England

Over 23,000 smokers across the West Midlands stubbed out their cigarettes this month for Stoptober, the 28-day stop smoking challenge from Public Health England. T hey joined over 250,000 people around the country swapping their fags for gags this October (2014) in the nation’s biggest mass quit attempt.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics reveals that the number of smokers in the West Midlands has hit a record low, with smokers accounting for only 17.8% the population in 2013, a drop of 1.1% compared to 2012.  And according to UCL’s Smoking Toolkit Study, smoking rates are continuing to fall in 2014.  Those who successfully took part in Stoptober and didn’t smoke for 28 days are now five times more likely to remain smokefree, contributing to the growing numbers of non-smokers in the region.

Smokers from other countries also joined England in quitting this month, as Stoptober rolled into New Zealand and the Netherlands for the first time, so that people from all over the world stopped smoking together.

The nation shows its support

Stoptober has had greater support than ever before with well-known faces such as Duncan Bannatyne, Gemma Collins and Jenny Frost joining some of the nation’s top comedians such as Paddy McGuinness, Al Murray, Simon Brodkin (aka Lee Nelson) and Andi Osho, who helped people stay away from the cigarettes by providing motivational messages of support throughout the 28 days.

This year’s campaign had a comedy theme for the first time, to help smokers get through the difficult challenge of quitting, and over 250 organisations such as Asda and the British Army, as well as football clubs and bloggers, got thousands of people to stay smokefree for 28 days.

Dr Lola Abudu, public health consultant for PHE West Midlands, said:

“The 2014 campaign has seen more than 250,000 people across the country take part in Stoptober, and in the West Midlands over 23,000 people signed up.  Not only are these people feeling a whole lot healthier after 28 days smokefree, but they are five times more likely to stay quit for good.  With smoking rates now at an all-time low, the number of people participating in Stoptober just goes to show how keen those people who still smoke are to quit.

“Stoptober is a great opportunity to make a serious quit attempt with the support of friends and family, so well done to everyone who managed the full 28 days, but even if you didn’t, don’t stop trying to quit.  There are lots of support services locally and the health benefits really are worth the effort.”

Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Well-being at Public Health England, said:

“With more than 250,000 participants, it is fantastic to see that this year’s Stoptober has been so successful.  Evidence shows the clear health benefits that giving up smoking provides, and that by quitting smoking people can make a huge difference to their long-term well-being.

“The success of mass quit attempts such as Stoptober shows that a tobacco-free generation is now within sight, as more smokers stub out their cigarettes as part of a conscious decision to improve their health.”

Comedian Lee Nelson said:

“What great news it is that so many legends got involved this year and gave quitting smoking a go.”