Make ‘Stoptober’ the right time to quit smoking!

 

Cheshire East Council is backing a health campaign to help smokers quit the habit.

The ‘Stoptober’ initiative this October aims to support people to give up tobacco – as it is still the most preventable cause of illnesses.

The return of the successful ‘Stoptober’ campaign is a 28-day challenge that encourages as many smokers as possible to quit. 

Being ‘smoke free’ for 28 days means you are FIVE times more likely to stop for good – a positive step for both your health and your wallet.

Within Cheshire East smoking costs the economy approximately £73.7m a year. This includes: smoking breaks, which see a loss of £28m; and £5m due to sick days.

Smoking-related illnesses in Cheshire East costs the local NHS approximately £10.2m per year to treat.

Cheshire East Council is 100 per cent behind the campaign and will be promoting it throughout October. 

Councillor Janet Clowes, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of care and health in the community, said: “If you are a smoker, reducing – or better still, giving up – smoking is still the single-most-important factor in improving your health and wellbeing.

“By encouraging people to give up smoking, with advice and support, the Council’s health professionals hope to reduce smoking levels across the Borough and improve health, not only for smokers but also for their close families who may be breathing in other people’s tobacco smoke in homes and vehicles.

“Not everyone realises the health-damaging consequences that tobacco-smoke exposure can cause – or, more importantly, that this damage is preventable. We want to help people to help themselves to a better quality of life – living better for longer.”

Dr Heather Grimbaldeston, director of public health for Cheshire East, said: “Tobacco use still remains the biggest cause of early death and disease within the UK and throughout the world.

“The costs of tobacco use are significant for individuals, local employers and the economy. Tobacco use and poverty are inextricably linked. Campaigns like ‘Stoptober’ are very beneficial in improving the public’s health – encouraging smokers to quit and make others aware of the risks associated with tobacco use.”

If you feel ready to take on the challenge you can join Stoptober by signing up at smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober – where you can access different resources all designed to keep you motivated and on track during your quit attempt.

Cheshire East Stop Smoking and Harm Reduction Service ‘Kickstart’ offers free one-to-one support and clinics are available throughout Cheshire East. 

If you want to quit smoking and would like further information please contact:

‘Kickstart’ stop smoking and harm reduction service on 0800 085 8818. You can also visit them at www.kickstartcheshire.co.uk

Alternatively, visit the Council’s website on www.cheshireeast.gov.uk