Make October ‘Stoptober’ and quit smoking for good
Hackney Council are encouraging the borough’s 45,000 smokers to take part in this year’s Stoptober campaign, starting on 1 October.
The national Stoptober campaign has created almost one million quit attempts across the country since it launched in 2012.
Based on research that if you stop smoking for 28-days you are five times more likely to quit for good, the Council is encouraging smokers to search ‘Stoptober’ online to find a range of free and proven support available to become smoke-free.
These include using the local Stop Smoking Service, e-cigarettes, receiving support via email, using the ‘Stoptober’ mobile app or a variety of different stop smoking aids and social media support.
There has never been a better time to stop smoking, quitting success rates are the highest ever, cigarette packs are losing their attractiveness with the introduction of standardised packaging and e-cigarettes, which many smokers find helpful for quitting, are now more tightly regulated than ever before to assure their safety and quality.
Stopping smoking is the best thing you can do for your own health and the health of those around you and after you’ve quit, you’ll see the health benefits very quickly and you’ll also have more money in your pocket to spend on other things. Make the 1 October the time to stub out the cigarettes for good and start your journey to a smoke free lifestyle.
Since January 2015, nearly 2,500 smokers in Hackney have quit smoking with the help of free, local and personalised advice and support from the Hackney Stop Smoking Service. With this help, smokers are up to four times more likely to quit smoking successfully.
I can breathe so much better, I have energy and I am less tired and I no longer smell of cigarettes. I felt under the control of nicotine which I hated. Now I’m back in control.
Stoptober starts on Saturday 1 October, for more information and free support, search ‘Stoptober’ online.
For confidential, expert advice and where to get support to stop smoking, contact Hackney’s Stop Smoking Service on: 0800 046 9946 or: 020 3316 1085 or visit: www.smokefreehackney.org
Specialist stop smoking advisors will be promoting Stoptober at locations across the borough including GP practices and pharmacies.
Two additional clinics have been set up for the Turkish speaking communities from Sunday 18 September for six weeks:
- Alevi Cultural Centre on Ridley Road (11.00am-3.00pm)
- Refugee Workers Cultural Association, Victorian Grove, Stoke Newington (11.00am-2.00pm)