Stoptober: Nationwide 'Quit Smoking' Drive Has Begun

Stoptober is back and calling on smokers to join the thousands of others committing to quit this month - and there's support for West Sussex residents.

A new nationwide survey* shows nearly all (95%) ex-smokers see positive changes in their life as early as two weeks after quitting.

Stoptober’s mass quit attempt launched yesterday (October 1), calling on smokers in England to join the thousands of others committing to quit.

While smoking rates are declining, over five million adults in England still smoke and smoking remains the single biggest cause of preventable illness and death in the country - linked to 64,000 deaths a year.

The total cost from smoking to society in England is approximately £17 billion a year, this includes the cost to the NHS of treating diseases caused by smoking at approximately £1.9 billion a year.

 New data from 3,000 ex-smokers, found some of the top benefits they saw within two weeks of quitting included having more energy (45%), feeling healthier (42%) and breathing better (42%).

In addition to key improvements in health measures, many survey respondents also noted improvement in their ability to exercise (22%), healthier looking skin (24%), their sense of taste returning (25%), and saving money (34%).

On average, a smoker could save £38 a week by quitting smoking, which is around £2000 a year.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy said:

“Over the past 12 years Stoptober has helped over two and a half million people make a quit attempt. However, while smoking rates are in decline, there are over five million adults in England who still smoke, so it’s vital we support everyone to go smokefree. Quitting will improve your health whatever your age and no matter how long you have smoked. It’s never too late to stop. I encourage you to give it a go.”

 Health Minister Neil O’Brien said:

“Smoking is the single biggest cause of preventable illness and death.  When people quit smoking, the benefits are huge - they are healthier, wealthier and pressure on the NHS eases.

"Stoptober will motivate thousands to quit smoking this October by providing people with the support and confidence to go smokefree.  We remain committed to our bold ambition to be smokefree by 2030, bolstered by a package of new measures giving vapes to a million smokers, new financial incentives for pregnant women to quit and new pack inserts to provide support for people to quit.”

West Sussex County Council Offers Support

West Sussex County Council’s Public Health team is urging smokers planning to quit this Stoptober to seek free support to have the best chance of quitting for good.

There are plenty of free, stop smoking support services available across the county including at participating GP practices, pharmacies and via the West Sussex Wellbeing programme.

Tim Eves is one of those who has quit smoking with the help of the programme.

The 44-year-old from Rustington said:

“My key motivation for quitting was my family. I want to be around for as long as possible and I knew that smoking was really going to affect this.

“I was on 20 cigarettes a day and had tried to quit before but without help. I never really thought I would be able to do it but with the fantastic support from Sally, a smoking cessation advisor at Horsham Wellbeing, I am now over three months smoke-free.

“Meeting up every week was such an important part of the process and really gave me the help and incentive I needed to carry on. I did have cravings along the way but never thought I was close to picking up a cigarette again.

“I feel so much healthier now and am currently training for a 10k run in support of Nerve Tumours UK, to help my youngest son Wilbur with his condition.”

You can follow Tim’s lead by visiting the West Sussex Wellbeing website to find free local services that can help you or someone you know to successfully quit smoking.

You can also watch videos on the council's YouTube channel to hear how West Sussex Wellbeing’s stop smoking service can help you quit and how the service helped one man quit smoking with the service’s free support.

The West Sussex Wellbeing programme is a partnership between the county council and the county’s seven district and borough local authorities.

Councillor Bob Lanzer, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said:

“Stoptober is a time when many people decide to quit smoking. Quitting smoking will not only improve your health but also help you save money.

“Planning ahead and making use of the free support services available to you, as someone who lives or works in West Sussex, will really make a difference and help you quit smoking for good.”

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• Survey* conducted by Censuswide, reaching over 3000 Adults in England between 23.08.2023 - 31.08.2023. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.