Stoptober is back!

News - 4 October 2021

Stoptober is back! The campaign is calling on smokers to join 2.3 million others who have made a quit attempt in the past decade. Over 6 million adults in England still smoke. It remains the leading cause of premature death, with almost 75,000 preventable deaths a year.
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Increase in under-35s smoking

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A new nationwide survey of 2,000 smokers has found that nearly half (45%) have been smoking more since the first lockdown began. Key reasons were being bored in the lockdowns (43%) or the pandemic making people more anxious (42%). Data from the monthly UCL Smoking Toolkit Study indicates a large increase in smoking among the under-35s – up from 18% in 2019 to 24% now.

This year’s Stoptober is more important than ever. Quitting remaining one of the best things a smoker can do for their health. That’s why this year’s Stoptober campaign is encouraging smokers to join the thousands of others who are giving quitting a go for the month of October. The benefits of giving up smoking include being able to start moving better, being able to breathe more easily and saving money.

Free support to stop smoking

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
  • An online Personal Quit Plan

The Personal Quit Plan helps people find a combination of support that’s right for them. It includes expert support from local Stop Smoking Services and stop smoking aids.

You can also call the free National Smokefree Helpline on 0300 123 1044 to talk to a trained adviser for advice and support.

Get tips and advice at www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking

 

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