Stoptober returns to Bury to challenge smokers to quit

The 28-day Stoptober health challenge is back for its fifth year to encourage smokers to stub out the habit.

Stoptober has made a big impact in Bury, helping to lower smoking rates to 19.5%; last year, 813 people in Bury signed up to quit smoking for good.

Bury Council has welcomed the return of the campaign and is encouraging local smokers to join the thousands of people making a change this October for a healthier and wealthier future.

Councillor Trevor Holt, chair of Bury’s Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “Quitting smoking offers people many benefits, not only in terms of their physical health but also financially; people who quit smoking save on average £3,000 per year.

“I’d urge anyone considering quitting to sign up to Stoptober and give it a go. We have great local support services that can help people stay smoke-free for good.”

The council and NHS Bury CCG recently signed the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control and the NHS Statement of Support for Tobacco Control. This is a promise to take measures to reduce smoking rates, raise awareness of the harm caused by smoking, reduce health inequalities, join the Smokefree Action Coalition, and take every opportunity to help smokers quit.

The Stoptober campaign has returned with even more free motivational support including support via the Stoptober app, a daily email service and Facebook Messenger bot which can provide instant support when cravings strike.

Local services and pharmacies are also available to provide free, expert face-to-face support and guidance. People who quit with the support of a smoking cessation adviser are four times more likely to stop for good than if they don’t use this support.

You can contact your local Stop Smoking Team at Bury Lifestyle Service on0161 253 7554 or by email at: LifestyleService@bury.gov.uk.

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Rebecca Caygill, Lifestyle Service manager, said: “Stoptober is a great opportunity for smokers across Bury to quit together alongside friends, family and thousands of other people across the North West.

“There has never been a better time to stop smoking, with lots of help and support available. It doesn’t matter how many times you have tried before - call our specialist stop smoking advisers and take on the challenge this year.

“Quitting is the single best thing you can do for your health and, with the help of our local stop smoking advisers and the campaign’s support and motivation, I am sure we will have another successful Stoptober.”

Andrea Crossfield, chief executive of Healthier Futures, which works with partners to break the cycle of addiction and exposure to tobacco in communities, said: “I encourage everyone who smokes in the North West to take on the Stoptober challenge this year for a healthier and wealthier future for you and your family.

“After another successful Stoptober last year, when more than 30,000 people in the North West signed up, it would be great to see even more people pledge to stop and join together to make a positive change. If you stop smoking for 28 days then you are five times more likely to stop for good, improving your health and putting more money into your pocket.

“Remember, you’re not alone; there are local stop smoking advisers here to support you to quit smoking throughout the year. If you stop with a local adviser you are even more likely to quit for good, so get in contact today for free help and advice: call0161 253 7554.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 5 October 2016.