Quit smoking for good this Stoptober
Smokers in Hackney are being encouraged to give up cigarettes for the tenth annual Stoptober campaign this month.
For smokers who live, study or work in the borough, Smokefree City & Hackney offers free medication (prescription charges may apply) and one-to-one support for up to 12 weeks.
With support and medication, the likelihood of quitting is three times higher than for those who try it alone. Last year, over a thousand people in Hackney gave up smoking with help from a Smokefree City & Hackney advisor.
The importance of the campaign is even more significant this year, as smoking causes lung conditions that can make it harder to fight off viruses, including coronavirus. The act of smoking itself, involving hand to mouth contact, increases the risk of infection.
We lost more people to smoking-related diseases in 2020 than we did to Covid. A stark reminder of how important it is to stop smoking for good and choose a longer, better quality of life. I urge smokers in Hackney to make use of our local services like Smokefree City & Hackney; it is a brilliant programme that can help you quit.
For more information about Stoptober and Smokefree City & Hackney visit smokefreecityandhackney.org or call the service on 0800 046 9946.