Smokers in North West encouraged to take part in Stoptober as they report smoking more during the pandemic

Stoptober is back to launch its 10th mass quit attempt on 1 October, calling on smokers in England to join the 2.3 million others who have made a quit attempt with the campaign since it launched a decade ago.

Over 6 million adults in England still smoke, and it remains the leading cause of premature death, with almost 75,000 preventable deaths a year.

A new nationwide survey of 2,000 current smokers released has found that nearly half (45%) have been smoking more since the first lockdown began.

Key reasons reported are due to being bored in the lockdowns (43%) or the pandemic making them more anxious (42%).

More than two fifths (43%) of smokers surveyed believe that the strength of addiction and/or craving is the biggest obstacle to quitting, followed by the stress of everyday life (42%).

More than half of smokers want to quit, and three quarters (75%) would never have started smoking if they could go back in time. 

Of those who want to quit, more than half (55%) would like to do so to improve their physical health or to save money (52%).

 

 

Data from the monthly UCL Smoking Toolkit Study indicates a large increase in smoking among the under-35s since the coronavirus pandemic, up from 18% in 2019 to 24% now.

The disruptive impact of the pandemic on smoking patterns makes this year's Stoptober mass quit attempt more important than ever. Stopping smoking brings multiple benefits to health, some immediate and others that build over time. These include being able to start moving better, being able to breathe more easily and saving money. The average smoker can save £1,875.60 a year by quitting smoking.

Stoptober is based on research that if a smoker can make it to 28 days smoke-free, they are five times more likely to quit for good. The campaign first launched in 2012 when one in five adults smoked (19.3%); this has since fallen to one in seven in England (13.9%).

Samuel Bostock, Health and Wellbeing Manager and Tobacco Control Lead for Public Health England North West, said: “It’s been a tough time over the pandemic for smokers but we’re stronger together. In Stoptober’s 10th year, why not join the thousands of people who have stopped smoking?

“It’s never too late to quit. Stopping smoking will not only immediately improve your physical health but also your bank balance.

“Stoptober provides the information and support people need to quit smoking for 28 days. Expert support from local stop smoking services gives people the best chance of success and GPs and pharmacists can also give advice and tips to help you quit, including what prescription medicines might be right for you.

“Now is the time to do it; sign up to Stoptober and make it a success.”

Stoptober offers a range of free quitting tools including: the NHS Quit Smoking app, Facebook messenger bot, Stoptober Facebook online communities, daily emails and SMS, and an online Personal Quit Plan which helps people find a combination of support that’s right for them, including expert support from local Stop Smoking Services and stop smoking aids.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and media medic, said: “Every cigarette smoked damages the lungs and airways, making it harder to breathe. Smoking fills the lungs with toxins that harm the immune system and leave the smoker more vulnerable to infections – something which has been at the forefront of all our minds over the past 18 months.

“As a doctor, I urge every smoker to give quitting a go this October – it’s never too late to quit – stopping smoking brings immediate benefits to health, including for people with existing smoking-related disease. There’s loads of support available - you don’t need to do this alone.”

Leading UK health organisations including The Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation are joining in the call to get smokers in England to give quitting a go this October by joining Stoptober.

For free support to quit search ‘Stoptober’.