SMOKERS across Warwickshire are being urged to stub it out in October.
Warwickshire County Council is backing Stoptober – the annual nationwide campaign that helps millions of people in England to make a quit attempt. Evidence shows that if someone can stop smoking for 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit for good.
Quitting smoking is one of the best things to do to improve personal health and wellbeing. It helps with breathing more easily, moving better, and saving money. This year’s theme, “let’s quit smoking together”, highlights the power of quitting alongside others and taking advantage of the free, confidential support available locally.
Anyone who lives, works, or is registered with a GP in Coventry or Warwickshire can access support through Smoke Free Coventry and Warwickshire.
This includes up to 12 weeks of one-to-one help (face-to-face or virtual) with a specialist stop smoking practitioner, guidance on managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, vape quit kits and stop smoking medication, and access to the Smoke Free App.
Residents are encouraged to access this support at smokefreecw.co.uk and to set a quit date for October 1, joining thousands of others across the country who will be stopping smoking at the same time.
Additional national support is available via the Stoptober campaign, including the NHS Quit Smoking app, daily email support, a Facebook community, and advice on quitting smoking with a vape. Search “Stoptober” online to find out more.
WCC’s health spokesperson Coun Anne-Marie Sonko said: “This Stoptober, we are reminding people that quitting smoking doesn’t have to be something you do on your own. If you set a quit date for Wednesday October 1, you will be stopping alongside thousands of other people from across the country.
“There are also fantastic free, confidential services offering support locally, which can have a huge impact on your chances of success. Even if you’ve tried to quit smoking before, giving it another go this Stoptober could change your life for the better.”
