North West smokers urged to ‘split up’ with their cigarettes as Stoptober returns

If a smoker can make it to 28 days smoke-free, they are five times more likely to quit for good

Public Health England is encouraging all smokers across the North West to join in with the nation’s biggest quit attempt beginning on 1 October by providing them with the support and information they need to “split up” with smoking this Stoptober.

Not smoking is now the norm but despite smoking rates being lower than ever before nationally, thousands still smoke across the North West. Stoptober is back to help encourage smokers to make a quit attempt and join those who have already quit this year.

The campaign will target all smokers with new creative content highlighting the benefits of “breaking up”, urging them to re-evaluate their bad relationship with smoking and “split up” this October. The creative will feature across digital, radio and out-of-home advertisements throughout the campaign period to help keep smokers motivated during their quit attempt.

Rimple Poonia, Health and Wellbeing Manager and Tobacco lead for PHE North West, said: “Giving up smoking is the best thing a smoker can do for their health and it can also help save money – in just 28 days smokers will start to notice so many benefits. Stoptober is a perfect time for smokers to try and give up smoking – however many times they may have tried in the past. I would encourage anyone thinking of quitting to sign up to the Stoptober 28 day challenge today and join the thousands of smokers across the North West this Stoptober who want to make a positive change to their health. “

Stoptober has supported over 1.9 million people on their quit journey to date – if a smoker can make it to 28 days smoke-free, they are five times more likely to quit for good. Stoptober’s free quitting support includes the Stoptober app, Facebook messenger bot, daily emails, a Personal Quit Plan and Stoptober online communities.

Research has shown that while many smokers want to quit, they face common barriers including procrastination and a fear of failure. Smokers can get expert face-to-face  support from local stop smoking services, and those who do are three times as likely to quit successfully as those who try to quit using willpower alone.

Additionally, GPs and pharmacists can also give advice and tips to help smokers quit, including what stop smoking aids might be right for them. Support from family and friends is also an important factor in quitting smoking, and these networks are encouraged to support a smoker as they split up with smoking.

Dr Rosemary Leonard said: “We know it can be hard to give up smoking but now is the time to give it a try, whether it’s the first time or you’ve tried before. The Stoptober community can really help with motivation and staying on track. Additional support is also available from a variety of places including local stop smoking services, GPs, pharmacies and of course, the Stoptober and NHS Smokefree websites.

“Quitting smoking is the best thing a smoker can do for their health — Stoptober is a brilliant chance to quit with others for 28 days and see the benefits for yourself. If you’re a non-smoker, use this chance to support a loved one as they split up with smoking this Stoptober.”