Smokers in Rutland told the way to quit is to keep trying this Stoptober
This year's campaign is said to be more important than ever because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on smoking patterns
Smokers in Rutland are being told they will see the benefits of quitting "quite quickly", as today (1 October) marks the start of Stoptober.
This year's mass quit smoking attempt is said to be more important than ever because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on smoking patterns.
It comes as figures from a nationwide survey of 2,000 current smokers show that nearly half (45 per cent) have been smoking more since the first lockdown began.
The Stoptober campaign first launched in 2012 and offers a range of free quitting tools, such as the NHS Quit Smoking app, daily emails and an online Personal Quit Plan.
Tony Otley, the Stop Smoking Advisor with the Rutland Stop Smoking Service, told Greatest Hits Radio that the way to kick the habit is to keep trying:
"A lot of people think that, 'oh, I just want to do it with my own will power, I don't need help on this, I should be able to do it'.
"Regrettably, if you're waiting for that perfect moment to stop smoking you will never stop.
"You've got to keep trying, if necessary failing and trying again.
"Just keep at it."
He added boredom, anxiety and restlessness can make people want to smoke more.
Tony also spoke about the impact working from home has had:
"Working at home there's more opportunities for having a smoke than at work.
"You know, more defined break periods when people would usually be nipping out.
"So it is a mixed bag on this and regrettably there's no one-size-fits-all for things."
Stopping smoking is said to bring "multiple" health benefits, including being able to start moving better, being able to breathe more easily and saving money, with the average smoker able to save £1,875.60 a year by quitting.