Smokers urged to quit for 28 days to add up to seven days to their lives

News from our partners Public Health England

Stoptober returns following success of thousands of quitters last year 

Stoptober – England’s mass 28-day stop smoking attempt – is back following its huge success in 2012, which saw 160,000 people complete the challenge. 

In the West Midlands region 19.5 per cent of adults still smoke and it remains the nation’s biggest killer, with half of long-term smokers dying prematurely from a smoking disease. 

The Public Health England campaign comes as new research shows the extra years of life that can be gained by giving up smoking and staying smokefree[1].  Someone who quits smoking for Stoptober and doesn’t smoke again could gain an extra seven days of life, every 28 days, for the rest of their life.  

A person stopping smoking for 28 days is five times more likely to stay smokefree, and Stoptober’s ambition is to help smokers achieve this goal. 

Along with the health benefits, quitting saves the average smoker over £150 a month and almost £2,000 a year.[2]  During last year’s Stoptober campaign, a staggering £25 million was saved by the 160,000 people from not buying cigarettes.

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

“In parts of the West Midlands we have some of the highest numbers of smokers in the country, but we also know that the majority of people who smoke want to give up. 

“Campaigns like Stoptober are vital, as many people who would like to quit feel they won’t be able to, because they haven’t got the necessary support.  This campaign shows people that they’re not alone and they can get help to quit for good.” 

Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies said:

“Half of all smokers die as a result of smoking; this is the single biggest cause of premature death, taking more than 100,000 lives in the UK and costing the NHS up to £2.7bn each year. 

“Life is precious and you can gain up to seven days for every 28 you remain smokefree.  Taking part in the challenge is a first step to a longer and healthier life. 

“Have a go, by stopping with Stoptober.” 

Professor Kevin Fenton, Public Health England’s Director of Health and Well-being, said:

“Campaigns such as Stoptober, along with the support provided by local stop smoking services, play a huge role in helping people to stop.  Whilst smoking prevalence across the country as a whole is falling steadily, it remains high in some parts, and is still the biggest cause of premature death with more than 80,000 deaths in England every year. 

“We want every smoker to consider making a quit attempt this October and join the thousands of people who are feeling the benefits from stopping smoking last year.” 

Stoptober provides smokers with a range of free support, including a new stop smoking pack, a 28-day mobile phone app and text support with daily updates and quitting advice, detailed tools and tips for coping, as well as the encouragement and support from thousands of people quitting together through Stoptober social media. 

Promotion of the campaign began today (Monday 9 September 2013) with the launch of new TV advertising and roadshows touring the country.  To encourage people to sign up and order their packs, ultra-marathon runner and ex forty-a-day smoker, Rory Coleman, will be running 28 miles a day for 28 days in a row across England and Wales.  As part of Rory’s challenge, he will be pushing the giant red Stoptober wheel with the help of local armed forces representatives and members of the public across the West Midlands, arriving in Stoke-on-Trent on 26 September then moving on to Birmingham on 27 September.  

Stoptober 2013 starts on Tuesday 1 October 2013 and runs for 28 days.  For more information and to join the biggest stop smoking challenge of its kind, search ‘Stoptober’ online.  

Further information 

1. Promotion of Stoptober began on 9 September and includes TV and outdoor advertising, digital activity, posters, cards and in-pharmacy literature, roadshows and national and regional PR. 
2. TV adverts and images are available via dropbox at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yfj85e0graqksik/2-17KkEEOy 
3. Commentary from charitable partners is also available 
4. Public Health England’s mission is to protect and improve the nation’s health and to address inequalities through working with national and local government, the NHS, industry and the voluntary and community sector.  PHE is an operationally autonomous executive agency of the Department of Health 
5. For more information on PHE visit www.gov.uk/phe or follow us on Twitter @PHE_uk.