Stop smoking for Stoptober and you're five times more likely to quit for good

East Riding’s Health and Wellbeing Board is encouraging people who smoke to stop smoking for the 28 days of Stoptober. 

Smoking remains the biggest cause of preventable illness and death in England, and Stoptober provides an opportunity for people to seek support to stop.

Councillor Jonathan Owen, Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board said: “People who stop smoking for the 28 days of Stoptober are five times more likely to quit for good.

“Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health, and when you stop there are almost immediate improvements to your health.

“It’s never too late to quit smoking. Even if you’ve tried quitting before, give it another go this Stoptober.”

When someone quits smoking the benefits start almost immediately. After just 8 hours harmful carbon monoxide levels in your blood will have reduced by half. After 48 hours your senses of taste and smell are improving. After 2 to 12 weeks circulation will have improved, and after 3 to 9 months lung function increases by up to 10 percent.

Evidence shows that once people have got past the short-term withdrawal stage of quitting, they have reduced anxiety, depression and stress and increased positive mood compared with people who continue to smoke.

People are more likely to stop smoking successfully with the right support. Free support is available to East Riding residents, commissioned by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and provided by Xyla.

Xyla Healthier Futures programme offers up to 12 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), with a choice of patches, gums, sprays and other alternative therapies. The team provide support to form healthy and lasting habits to stop smoking, including help with controlling cravings and behaviour change techniques, plus the choice of face-to-face sessions or a fully remote online programme.

Councillor Owen said: “As a Board we support the government plans for a future smokefree generation, by Stopping the Start. We are also committed to helping smokers quit.”

Find out more and access support: https://eryc.link/quit-smoking or call 0330 236 9102.

Picture: Members of East Riding's Health and Wellbeing Board