Are you ready for ‘Stoptober’?
BY BUZZ
Thousands of smokers across the country will be encouraged to give up smoking for 28 days as part of a national campaign.
‘Stoptober’ will be the first ever mass quit attempt ever and has been launched by the Department of Health. Smoking remains the biggest killer in England with half of long-term smokers dying prematurely from smoking related diseases. The campaign is backed by Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation and kick starts today, Monday 1 October.
The campaign has already been receiving large coverage through TV and radio advertising and roadshows will also be taking place across the country. Research shows those who stop smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to stay smokefree.
The Government’s most senior health advisor, Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies says “Smoking is still the biggest cause of premature death in England, taking more than 100,000 lives in the UK every year. I would encourage people who want to quit to get involved. To join in, look for ‘Stoptober’ online, or ask your local pharmacist and get your free support pack and lots of other helpful hints and tips.”
There will also be a ‘Stoptober’ app to offer additional support as well as the Smokefree Facebook page with additional advice and tips.
Jean King, Cancer Research UK’s director of tobacco control, says “Smoking accounts for one in four cancer deaths and nearly a fifth of all cancer cases so it’s vital that work continues to support smokers to quit. Breaking the addiction is difficult so new and innovative campaigns such as this are hugely important.”
She adds “After the success of the Olympics and Paralympics where we’ve seen such fantastic feats of physical achievement, it would be great to think this might help also motivate smokers to quit and take advantage of ‘Stoptober’. It’s key that smokers don’t give up trying to give up.”
For more information and to join the biggest stop smoking challenge of its kind, visit smokefree.nhs.uk/Stoptober.
