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Make this October your ‘STOPTOBER’

by Steve Beasant on 13 September, 2012

Quitting smoking

National campaign to encourage smokers to quit.

WITH children back at school and the summer holidays over, October is one of the most popular times of the year for smokers to try and give up the habit. With this in mind, the department of health has designated this October as “STOPTOBER”.

North East Lincolnshire Council is supporting the national media campaign launched on Tuesday, September 11, which is calling on smokers to prepare for and join a call to stop smoking for 28 days.

Whilst some will choose to go it alone, research proves that those who use local NHS Stop Smoking Services are four times more likely to succeed. North East and North Lincolnshire Stop Smoking Services expect to help and support hundreds of local smokers to stop smoking during STOPTOBER.

Geoff Barnes, acting director of public health, said: “The number of smokers in our area has reduced significantly over the past two years and it is pleasing that so many people are recognising the huge benefits for themselves and their families in quitting smoking.

“We still have however one of highest rates of smoking in the region and that is why I welcome this new campaign, which hopefully will assist many local smokers to quit.”

The local Stop Smoking Service is providing additional stop smoking support programmes to help cope with the expected rise in demand to support local smokers wanting to stop smoking.

Commenting on the campaign, David Hardy, stop smoking service manager, said: “We know that many people will hear or see the national and regional campaign messages calling on smokers to quit during October. Our local services are gearing up to provide help and support to those smokers who want to stop during STOPTOBER using the support programmes that we offer. They are free, friendly and flexible and offer smokers the best chance of succeeding in their goal to stop smoking. Mr Hardy explained that “whilst the campaign will challenge smokers to quit for 28 days we will be looking to help and support smokers to stop for good.”

If you are up for the challenge and want to make this October your STOPTOBER “Preparation to Stop” packs will be available from the specialist service, pharmacies and GP practices that carry signs indicating that they provide local NHS stop smoking services. Packs will also be available at local promotional events and from a number of health and community locations throughout the area. For details of where you can obtain your pack contact the service on 0845 603 2166.

Times and venues of local advice and Information sessions can be found on the service website at www.freedomfromsmoke.co.uk, or by telephoning 0845 603 2166, or by sending an email requesting details to [email protected].

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