Staffordshire smokers urged to make Stoptober a friends and family affair

With latest figures showing that around 16 per cent of adults smoke in the county, Public Health England is urging residents to sign up together for the 28 day mass quit attempt - as research shows people are more likely to succeed if a friend or family member stops as well.

This year, Stoptober will be providing quitters with a personal touch from some of the nation’s leading comedians – Bill Bailey, Rhod Gilbert, Al Murray and Shappi Khorsandi. Messages of support and encouragement will be sent straight to quitters’ phones and emails throughout October.

Last year almost 3,000 people in Staffordshire signed up for the challenge, the highest number in the West Midlands.

Alan White, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing, said: “The long-term, chronic impact of smoking on people’s health and quality of life is well documented, but smoking also costs society too.

“Not just through the effect of people seeing their loved ones suffer in later life – but in terms of the enormous costs to the NHS for smoking related healthcare.

“We know kicking the habit can be very difficult, but we would everyone thinking of quitting to give it a go by signing up for Stoptober with a friend this year.”

Staffordshire residents looking to give up smoking can now do so with help from a new one stop advice service. The Healthy Staffordshire Hub gives people information, advice and guidance on a range of health related topics such as, stopping smoking, cutting down on alcohol consumption, achieving a healthy weight, healthy eating and being active.

People can access the support by calling 0300 111 8006.

During Stoptober people can go online and search for ‘Stoptober’ to sign up to the 28 day challenge, where there are a range of support tools to choose from including email, text and an app.