Quit for good this Stoptober
13 September, 2012
New evidence has revealed that if you can stop smoking for 28 days you’re five times more likely to quit for good.
Stoptober is a national stop smoking campaign that will be running throughout October. It’s a great opportunity for local people to be part of a 28 day stop smoking challenge that will see some of the 10 million smokers across Britain break their habit for good.
In 2010 the Yorkshire and Humber region had the highest prevalence of smokers with 23% of our local population smoking, whilst London had the lowest at just 17%. In Hull this increases to 27.8% with it rising to an astonishing 54% in some parts of the city.
Despite over 6 in 10 smokers saying that they want to quit, less than half make a quit attempt in any given year. The aim of Stoptober is to encourage smokers to quit using an effective approach such as local stop smoking services, rather than quitting “cold turkey” without any help.
The Hull and East Riding Stop Smoking Service (part of City Health Care Partnership CIC) are ready to support you all the way. Wendy Dwyer, Stop Smoking Service Operational Manager says:
“Over the last year the service has helped over 5,000 people quit smoking locally. We know that everyone is different and this is why we offer a range of FREE and convenient services to suit the lifestyles and needs of people who want to stop smoking, including one-to-one walk in sessions, quitting online (www.readytostopsmoking.co.uk) and also a mobile text support service – Quit Buddy. People wanting to quit with the service will get FREE nicotine replacement products (NRT) like patches or gum”.
Matt Clapison of Beverley started smoking when he was 19. Desperate to break the habit, at 37, he used the service and was successful in quitting. Unfortunately, he recently started smoking again, thinking that it would be possible to just have the odd cigarette occasionally. This has led to him smoking fully once again. Matt has admitted that he can’t stop without help and has again turned to the service and is planning to visit the Beverley walk in clinic. He is using Stoptober as the perfect opportunity to quit again.
“Knowing that other smokers throughout the area will be doing the same as me has really given me the boost I need. Being able to use the encouragement and support of the Walk in clinic, I know that I’ll get all the help I need to stop for good this time. I’m a dad now and this is the most important thing that I can do for my family’s future.”
The Hull and East Riding Stop Smoking Service will have their own team of health promoters out and about in your area throughout October handing out Stoptober packs and offering free help and advice. All you need to do is visit their Facebook page to find out when they’ll be in your neighbourhood – www.facebook.com/HullandEastRidingStopSmokingService. To find out more you can contact the service free today by calling 0800 915 59 59 or texting OCTOBER to 61825 (normal network rates apply).
Stoptober is your chance to break your habit for good. By taking it one day at a time, before you know it you’ll have done 28 days of no smoking meaning that you’ll be experiencing the positive benefits of a smoke free future; better health, sense of smell and taste and a better bank balance!
