Foundation backs Stoptober

Since it first launched 12 years ago, Stoptober has helped over 2.5 million people make a quit attempt.

This year, the campaign is rallying the over 5 million smokers in England to join together to support each other and commit to quitting.

Stoptober is the Department of Health and Social Care’s annual “stop smoking” campaign, coming under the umbrella brand Better Health.

The campaign is driven by evidence that if smokers make it to 28 days smoke free, they are five times more likely to quit for good.

This year, Stoptober is back with a new national campaign, ‘When you stop smoking, good things start to happen’, reminding smokers of the many benefits of stopping smoking.

While smoking rates have declined in recent years, over 5 million people in England still smoke and it remains the single biggest cause of preventable illness and death.

The total cost from smoking to society in England is approximately £17 billion a year, this includes the cost to the NHS of treating diseases caused by smoking at approximately £1.9 billion a year.

The campaign also offers smokers a range of proven tools and shares useful tips to help them on their quitting journey.

Smokers can search ‘Stoptober’ to get free support, tools, information and advice on quitting smoking.

The Foundation has teamed up with the Sunderland Specialist Stop Smoking Service and Sunderland City Council to support ‘Kick the Habit’ - a campaign to help local residents give up smoking for good.

Sunderland Stop Smoking Service offers free, friendly, confidential support and advice to help people who want to stop smoking. As well as providing specialist advice and support to quit, including a free app, the service can signpost to other local community services as well as giving you tips and tools to help with giving up.

Get help to quit, see Sunderland Smoking Service or call 0800 169 9913.