Calderdale’s smokers challenged to be part of Stoptober
During October, South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is encouraging smokers throughout Calderdale to take part in the first ever mass quit attempt launched by the Department of Health – Stoptober.
It is known that if you can stop smoking for 28 days you are five times more likely to stay smokefree, and Stoptober leads smokers through a detailed step-by-step programme to help them achieve this goal.
Many famous faces, organisations and employers are supporting the stop smoking campaign and Calderdale specialist NHS Stop Smoking Service wants to encourage local people to use this opportunity to quit.
All participants who sign up to Stoptober will be helped to make their quit attempt with a preparation pack, 28-day quit calendar and a health and wealth wheel. Smokers can also sign up to receive support and encouragement through a daily messaging service, inspiration from celebrity mentors, and expert advice via:
- Stoptober app (available via Smartphone)
- Motivational text messages
- Facebook page
Calderdale Specialist NHS Stop Smoking Service are also offering all local people who sign up to the campaign and attend their support sessions, free nicotine replacement therapy such as nicotine patches for the first 4 weeks of staying stopped.
Jan Spence, stop smoking specialist advisor in the team said, “As well as the financial benefits of stopping smoking, those undertaking the 28 day programme will experience physical improvements including a better sense of smell and taste and more energy.
“Longer term, those who stop smoking reduce their risk of heart disease and lung cancer as well as protecting others from their secondhand smoke.
“This is the first time a mass quit attempt has been organised which involves people across the country and I would encourage all smokers in Calderdale to take the opportunity to get involved and make a quit attempt.”
Stoptober 2012 kicks off on Monday 1 October and runs for 28 days. For more information and to join the biggest stop smoking challenge of its kind, visit smokefree.nhs.uk/Stoptober
If you live in Calderdale, and would like to know more about the free help and advice that the service can offer you, contact the specialist stop smoking service on 01422 281505 or email help.2quit@swyt.nhs.uk