Stoptober is back to encourage smokers across the borough to join the millions who have made a ‘quit attempt’ since the Stoptober campaign was launched in 2012.
Nearly 5 million adults in England still smoke, and it remains the single biggest cause of preventable death, with approximately 64,000 deaths a year.
Stop smoking and good things will happen. You can start to see almost immediate improvements to your health. Stoptober is an opportunity for smokers to join the thousands of others who commit to quit for the month of October – it has been proved that quitting smoking for 28 days means you are five times more likely to quit for good.
Quitting smoking will allow you to start moving better, breathe more easily - and give you more money to spend.
Trying to quit with others will help stiffen your resolve, increase your motivation and boost your confidence. There’s plenty of other support as well to help smokers realise that they are stronger and better prepared than they think. Reaching out for support can improve a smoker’s chances of long-term success and becoming a life-long ex-smoker.
There’s a range of free quitting tools available including the NHS Quit Smoking app, Stoptober Facebook communities and other online advice on the Stoptober webpage.
The best way to quit smoking is with support. Anyone who lives in Solihull or has a Solihull GP and wants to quit smoking can contact Solihull Lifestyle Service and receive free, local stop smoking support. Contact them on 0800 599 9880 or use this link to an online referral form.
Cllr Tony Dicicco, Solihull’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Health, said:
"I appreciate quitting smoking can be difficult, but there is no time like the present to try. Stoptober is a brilliant opportunity to make the first steps to quitting. Making October a smoke free month will mean you are five times more likely to quit for good.
“Encourage a fellow smoker to join you in Stoptober, you can motivate each other and help each other out. There is lots of support out there from the NHS website, apps and our stop smoking service.
“Commit to quit and take the first steps to being a healthier and richer ex-smoker.”