Stop while you shop as Stoptober hits town
Save up to £500 by Christmas if you quit now
PEOPLE who smoke are being invited to stop while they shop when the Stoptober roadshow comes to Newcastle, Darlington and Middlesbrough.
Stoptober, the national quitting campaign from the Department of Health and supported by Fresh, aims to encourage the region’s 460,000 smokers to join in and give quitting a go during October.
Research shows people who stop smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to stay quit. Friends, families, employers and work colleagues can also make a real difference to support people to stop for the whole of October and beyond.
The roadshow will arrive in the region this week, with stops in:
- Middlesbrough around the Cleveland Centre on Thursday, October 11 (9am-5pm) The NHS Stop Smoking Service team will also be demonstrating the health effects of smoking using carbon monoxide monitors, a poison board and a jar of tar.
- Darlington Skinnergate and Priestgate on Friday, October 12 (9am-5pm) where smokers will be able to sign up for the Stoptober pack
- Newcastle’s Northumberland Street (south) on Saturday, October 13, (9.30am-5.30pm) where smokers will be able to pledge their support or write a personal message on the giant Stoptober inflatable – a replica of the big red wheel used on the TV advert featuring the Angel of the North.
Christine Dryden, Manager of Newcastle and North Tyneside NHS Stop Smoking Service, said: “The Autumn is a great time to quit with the darker nights drawing in. People who quit now can save hundreds of pounds which can pay for Christmas. This is a great chance to stop by for an informal chat and find out more when you’re out shopping.
“People don’t always find quitting that easy, even though some smokers do manage it first time. But people can make the process easier by using a friendly and free NHS Stop Smoking Service, which boosts your chances of stopping for good.
“Even if you’ve tried before the key is to give it another go. You don’t always succeed on your first attempt.”
Joan Chapman, manager of Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland NHS Stop Smoking Service, said: “This is a chance to join in with hundreds of thousands of people all quitting smoking for Stoptober. It’s nice to save money while you’re out shopping and stopping smoking can save you tens of thousands of pounds over a lifetime.”
Miriam Davidson, Director of Public Health for Darlington, added: “I am really excited about this new campaign to encourage and help new smokers to stop. We know smokers use significant dates in the year to make quit attempts. Stoptober is a great opportunity to motivate them and promote the excellent stop smoking support available in Darlington.”
Dr Fu-Meng Khaw, Director of Public Health, Newcastle PCT and Newcastle City Council, said: “I’m delighted that Newcastle City Council is lending its support to Stoptober. One of the hardest things about giving up smoking is the feeling that you are on your own. Stoptober is the first national quit attempt, and that means there is more support out there than ever. If you can give up for a month, you are much more likely to quit for good – improving your life and the lives of everyone around you.”
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.
To find out about Stoptober and register all you have to do is click on smokefree.nhs.uk/Stoptober/ The new campaign is supported by the Stoptober app (available free via Smartphone) as well as the Stoptober Facebook page with additional tips and advice.
Ailsa Rutter, Director of Fresh, said: “Tens of thousands of people in the North East have stopped smoking in the last few years, which shows that quitting can be done.
“Stoptober is a great time for everyone to give it a try. Stopping for a month is a great achievement and gives you a much better chance of staying quit.”
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, you can contact your local NHS Stop Smoking Service:
- Newcastle and North Tyneside NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0191 2292910
- County Durham and Darlington NHS Stop Smoking Service on 0800 011 3405.
- Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland NHS Stop Smoking Service on 01287 284487
- Stockton and Hartlepool NHS Stop Smoking Service on 01642 383819.
To follow FRESH on facebook and Twitter – look for FreshSmokeFree.