Quit smoking for good this Stoptober
Smokers in Hackney are being encouraged to give up cigarettes for the ninth annual Stoptober campaign this month.
More than 40,000 people in Hackney who smoke are being encouraged to use the free resources and support available in the borough.
For smokers who live, study or work in the borough, Smokefree Hackney offers free medication (prescription charges may apply) and one-to-one support for up to 12 weeks.
The importance of the campaign is more significant this year as smokers are at an increased risk from Covid-19.
Smoking harms the immune system, reducing the body’s natural protection against infections like coronavirus.
Nicola Killeen, who quit after she had been smoking on and off for 38 years said:
I would tell people that it is so easy to get this help and how amazing and helpful my advisor was. He was so supportive and positive and that I knew he was there for me.
No matter what I talked about there was no judgement by him and I knew that he would help me whatever happened. I’m saving £70 a week so I’m buying things for the house and so on so it’s making a big financial difference too: I don’t want to even think about how much I’ve spent on cigarettes throughout my life – it’s too shocking.
Due to the limitations caused by the pandemic support services will be delivered over the phone and online. You can also download the Stoptober app for extra support.
I was a smoker for 17 years, so I completely understand what people are going through. Smoking can be a very difficult habit to break, but with the support of our local services and with so many options available, now is the best time to quit. With the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic looming over all of us, it is more important now than ever to put our health first.
Every year more and more people in Hackney quit smoking because they know there are multiple benefits for their health, their quality of life and the environment around them, not to mention the money they can save to spend on other things.
For more information about Stoptober and Smokefree Hackney visit smokefreehackney.org or call us on 0800 046 9946.