Olympic swimmer backs Stoptober
‘It’s not too late to quit for Stoptober’, says FRESH
OLYMPIC swimming sensation Jemma Lowe from Teesside is encouraging smokers to lead healthier lives by taking part in the nation’s biggest ever quit smoking campaign Stoptober.
The swimmer, who came sixth in the 200m Butterfly final at the London Olympics, is backing the 28-day Department of Health initiative which is being supported by FRESH to encourage the North East’s 460,000 smokers to make a quit attempt during October.
Research shows those who stop smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to stay quit and with one week to go before the end of the campaign, friends, families, employers and work colleagues are being told that they can still make a real difference to help support people to get their 28-day quit attempt underway.
To get started, those considering stopping for the remainder of October and beyond, should visit www.smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober for details.
Jemma, a former High Tunstall College of Science student in Hartlepool, said: “Smoking kills over 2.5million people every year; don’t let that number include you. Clearly, smoking can seriously affect your health.
“I urge everyone to take advantage of the help and support that is on offer to stop smoking. It’s your health, your family and your life.”
During Stoptober, people can take advantage of more free support than ever, including a Stoptober quitting kit, a daily messaging service and quitting app for PCs and smartphones with tips, a money saving calculator and motivational messages.
Ailsa Rutter, Director of Fresh, said: “Tens of thousands of people in the North East have successfully stopped smoking over the last few years and are now enjoying the benefits of being smoke-free.
“Stoptober is a great time for everyone to improve their health, self and wealth by quitting and it’s definitely not too late for people to join in by getting the support they need to get their 28 day quit attempt underway. Stopping smoking for a month is a great achievement and gives you a much better chance of staying quit – so well done to everyone who’s taken part so far and good luck to those who are considering having a go at quitting in the run up to Christmas.”
Benefits of quitting:
Reduce the risk of a serious smoking related disease from middle age You’ll improve your general fitness You’ll save hundreds if not thousands of pounds for nicer things Your skin and teeth will improve You won’t smell of smoke If you smoke indoors, you’ll protect loved ones from poisonous smoke
If you want to quit smoking, contact the Stockton and Hartlepool NHS Stop Smoking Service on 01642 383819 or the Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland NHS Stop Smoking Service on 01287 284487.
To find out more about Stoptober visit www.smokefree.nhs.uk/stoptober or for help to quit smoking visit your local stop smoking service or call NHS Smokefree on 0800 022 4 332.
To follow FRESH on facebook and Twitter – look for FreshSmokeFree.