Manchester's Stoptober Success
Record numbers of smokers across Greater Manchester have taken part in this year's Stoptober.
33,129 smokers across the North West stubbed out their cigarettes for 28 days, according to Public Health England and are being encouraged to keep going and stay smokefree to improve their health.
They joined an estimated 215,947 people around the country taking on the stop smoking challenge. Those who successfully took part in Stoptober are now five times more likely to remain smokefree, contributing to the growing numbers of non-smokers in the North West.
The North West is estimated to have had the second largest amount of sign-ups in the Country, with the South East of England estimated to have 34,214 people signing up to the campaign.
As more people across our region decide to quit smoking the number of adult smokers in the North West has dropped below 20% for the first time in recent history. New data from the Integrated Household Survey 2014 revealed that adult smoking fell to 19.9% and Stoptober will help decrease the number of people smoking further across the North West.
It’s never too late to quit and smokers who didn’t take part in the challenge this year who want to stop are encouraged to visit their local stop smoking service for free support. People who access support from a trained NHS professional will be four times more likely to quit smoking for good. You can find the details for your local stop smoking service at .
Andrea Crossfield, Chief Executive of Tobacco Free Futures said: “Congratulations to everyone who successfully took part in Stoptober this year. I am delighted to see so many people are taking on the challenge to quit smoking which is reflected in new data showing that less than 20% of adults now smoke in the North West, the lowest we have seen in decades. This is fantastic news which will result in healthier families and communities across our region.
“Everyone who quit smoking this Stoptober will already have saved money and experienced significant health improvements including a better sense of smell, taste and have more energy. Longer term, they will reduce their risk of heart disease and lung cancer as well as protecting family and friends from secondhand smoke.
“If you managed to stay quit for 28 days, well done and keep going! And if you didn’t manage the full challenge, don’t worry there is still excellent support available from local stop smoking services which you can access all year round.”
Ex-smoker Gary White from Knowsley said: “I smoked for 33 years and started experimenting with cigarettes and roll-ups when I was 15. I’ve now been smokefree for the last 18 months. In that time I’ve had just one urge to smoke but basically I’m so put off by it now that I wouldn’t give in.
“I would spend around 170 pounds on cigarettes a month. My wife gave up smoking when she was pregnant with our first child, Arabella I gave up 2 weeks after her. We were actually featured on One Born Every minute, Series 7, Episode 1. Being healthy for my child is one of my main motivations to not smoke plus I get to save money.
“The Stop Smoking Service are based 2 doors away from where I work. It’s been brilliant! They are always there to speak to and really encouraged me on my journey to be smokefree. Today I feel great, I can taste my food again plus my sense of smell has come back and I don’t have to worry about where to get the money to buy cigarettes.
“I’ve encouraged clients that use our services to go to speak with the Stop Smoking Service because I know first-hand how great the service will be.”