Stoptober challenge to help smokers

During October, smokers in Rochdale are being encouraged to quit together, as the nation’s biggest ever mass participation stop smoking challenge launches for its second year.

Rochdale Council is supporting the Public Health England ‘Stoptober’ campaign in a bid to help local people quit.

Starting on 1 October, smokers wishing to attempt to go smokefree for at least 28 days can sign up to Stoptober for a wide range of free support, guidance and encouragement to help them quit.

Council Leader and Lead Member for Health, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: “We want to help as many people as possible in Rochdale to quit. There is a wide range of support available. For example our local stop smoking services are doing a great job, and last year more than a thousand people successfully quit with their help.

“If you’ve been thinking about quitting, now is the time to do it. It isn’t always an easy journey but with the support of friends, family, Stoptober resources and your local stop smoking service, everyone can help each other to reduce the number of smokers in Rochdale”.

The 28 day campaign is based on research that smokers are five times more likely to stay smokefree if they successfully make it through the first four weeks and they could add one week to their life

Quitters signing up - at www.smokefree.nhs.uk/Stoptober - will receive a Stoptober pack full of information and:

• A 28-day mobile phone app and a text message service with daily updates and quitting advice 
• Detailed tools and tips for coping 
• Encouragement support from thousands of other people going through the same thing through Stoptober social media 

The campaign launches as new figures released by local anti-tobacco organisation Tobacco Free Futures, estimates that there are currently 38,062 smokers in Rochdale and every year addiction to tobacco costs the local authority £63million through loss of productivity due to early death and illness, NHS costs, litter and fires.

People who currently smoke are also encouraged to get in touch with their local stop smoking service as research shows smokers are four times more likely to quit with this extra support than stopping on their own. Contact the NHS’s TASK Stop Smoking Service in Rochdale on 0161 655 1581. 

Seventy-two year old ex-smoker Brenda Brierley from Rochdale, who supports Stoptober, said: “I smoked for over 50 years and started at the age of 16. After watching my brother and husband die of the effects of smoking, I was then diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a form of lung disease – so I knew I had to call it a day. I started smoking through peer pressure but my habit increased to over 20 cigarettes a day.

“I’m now pleased to say I have been smoke free for 12 months and I’ve replaced the cigarettes with a daily dose of fruit. I’ve also encouraged my sister-in-law to give up too.

"I thoroughly recommend TASK Stop Smoking Service in Rochdale as they have now given me the confidence to remain smoke free unaided.

"Since quitting, I feel much better and I have been able to breathe and I don’t need to use my inhaler any more. I’ve saved loads of money and by stopping smoking it has funded me to go on two holidays abroad.

"I recommend taking part in Stoptober and getting in touch with your local stop smoking service to anyone who wants to quit.”