Stoptober – the 28-day quit smoking campaign – is back
Stoptober, the 28-day stop smoking campaign from Public Health England, is back from Sunday 1 October 2017.
Stoptober 2017
Stoptober has driven over one million quit attempts to date and is the biggest mass quit attempt in the country. It is based on research that shows that if you can stop smoking for 28 days, you are five times more likely to stay smokefree for good.
Everyone’s quitting journey is different, but with Stoptober, you won’t be on your own. Join the thousands quitting smoking with Stoptober and get all the support you need to help you on your quit journey.
There a lots of ways to quit and Stoptober can help you choose what works for you. You can quit using medication (including nicotine replacement therapies such as patches and gum) or e-cigarettes.
Evidence is clear that your local stop smoking service, Help2Quit, offers the most effective way to quit. Help2Quit, part of Shropshire Council’s public health service Help2Change, offers free, expert support from stop smoking specialists – including practice nurses, midwives, pharmacists and school nurses, who provide tailored advice and support that really works. The service has been helping people to quit for over 20 years and has seen over 85,000 clients in that time.
Help2Quit is available in most GP surgeries across Shropshire and is also offered in many pharmacies, community venues, hospitals and selected supermarkets.
Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, adult social care and housing, said:-
“We know how difficult it can be for people who wish to give up smoking. Therefore I would strongly encourage those who want to quit, to take that small step by taking part in Stoptober.
“You can also get expert support from our Help2Quit team, who offer face to face advice and support and provide you with tailored advice and hints and tips on how to quit. By taking these steps you’re more likely to quit successfully.”
Dr Kevin Lewis, Director of Help2Change, said:-
“The clinical benefits from quitting smoking can be experienced almost immediately. Within just 20 minutes, your blood pressure will return to normal. After just a couple of weeks, your circulation improves. And, within a year, the risk of dying from heart disease is reduced by half. It is never too late to quit.”
Stoptober offers a range of free support to help you including an app, daily emails, Facebook Messenger and lots of encouragement from the Stoptober online community on Facebook.
Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your health and the health of those around you. If you can make it to 28 days smokefree, you’re five times more likely to stay quit for good.
For more information and to sign up to Stoptober’s 28-day challenge visit http://po.st/Stop17_Shropshire
For more information about Shropshire’s Help2Quit Service call 0345 678 9025 or visit http://www.healthyshropshire.co.uk/topics/stop-smoking
Further information
National statistics indicate 15.4% adults recorded as smokers in Shropshire.
