Quitting smoking as Stoptober returns

Kick the habit this ‘Stoptober’

Smokers across the North West are being urged to take part in Stoptober – the mass quitting challenge from Public Health England starting on 1 October – and join the nearly 15 million people across the country who have already quit.

The smoking rate across the North West has fallen by 2.5% over the past four years with the smoking rate now at 18.6%.

Last year, out of the 2.5 million smokers who made a quit attempt, 500,000 people (20%) were successful - the highest recorded success rate and up from just 13.6% six years ago.

This increase in successful stop smoking attempts reflects the high number of people using quitting aids across England. In 2015, just over a million people (1,027,000) used an e-cigarette in a quit attempt while around 700,000 used a licensed nicotine replacement product such as patches or gum.

Dr Rebecca Wagstaff, Deputy Director, Health and Wellbeing, Public Health England North West, said: “Stoptober is a perfect time for smokers to try and give up smoking – however many times they may have tried in the past. The annual campaign provides the perfect opportunity for family, friends and colleagues to work together towards quitting smoking for good.

"There is a range of free support available and I would encourage anyone thinking of quitting to sign up to the Stoptober 28 day challenge today.

“Quitting really is the best thing a smoker can do for their health and by committing to quit you will join thousands of smokers across the North West this Stoptober who want to make a positive change to their health.”

Find your local service at https://www.nhs.uk/smokefree or drop into your local pharmacy for a chat.”