More quitters in time for Stoptober 2017
Rotherham is bucking the national trend, as smoking continues to decline across the borough. It comes as Yorkshire Smokefree launches this year’s Stoptober campaign aiming to get more people to quit during a month of action.
During 2016-17 the number of quitters in Rotherham rose by 5% on the previous year to 1,200, whilst nationally during the same period the number of quitters dropped by 20%.
Stoptober encourages as many smokers as possible to prepare to quit from 1 October by taking part in the campaign and using the range of free resources and support available. Throughout October the campaign will continue to recruit smokers to take part, whilst also encouraging and supporting people to quit the 28-day smoke-free journey. The main objective is to get significant numbers of people attempting to quit by increasing motivation and providing products to make it easier.
Cllr David Roche, Rotherham’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health and Chair of the Rotherham Tobacco Alliance, said: “Stoptober is the perfect opportunity for more Rotherham smokers to quit. The number of quitters in the borough demonstrates that giving up the habit is achievable and with the support of stop smoking services and thousands of other people taking part in Stoptober across the country, there’s a good chance of successfully quitting this October helping to work towards making Rotherham more smoke-free.”
Launched in 2012, Stoptober is the 28-day stop smoking challenge from Public Health England that encourages and supports smokers across England towards quitting for good. Stoptober is based on the insight that if you can stop smoking for 28-days, you are five times more likely to be able to stay quit for good. The campaign encourages the quitting process, with a target to quit in a more manageable 28 days and rallies people around a specific date to get started.
Yorkshire Smokefree is part of our Trust and is commissioned by Rotherham Council to provide stop smoking services. Smokers can access support to help them quit face-to-face, on the telephone and online via the Yorkshire Smokefree website.
There are lots of ways to give up smoking and there is help available to find a way tailored to each individual’s specific needs. Some clients may be eligible to receive free nicotine replacement therapy or other medication, or others may prefer to purchase an e-cigarette as a quitting aid. E-cigarettes are at least as effective as nicotine patches for quitting smoking, and services in Rotherham can help residents work towards becoming nicotine-free.
As part of Stoptober, smokers can also track their progress on quitting with the Stoptober app or receive support through Facebook Messenger or daily emails. For more information and for advice and tips on quitting smoking, visit the Yorkshire Smokefree website.
Call 0800 612 0011 (free from landlines)
Call 0330 660 1166 (free from mobiles)
Visit http://rotherham.yorkshiresmokefree.nhs.uk/