Notts: Quit smoking support available during ‘Stoptober’

Nearly 20 per cent of people in the county smoke. But last year 6,167 of these gave up thanks to support from local pharmacies, GPs and the New Leaf stop smoking service.

New research suggested that stopping for 28 days, as promoted during national stop smoking month ‘Stoptober’, could add seven days to your life.

And for every 28 days you remain smoke-free, this increases by the same number.

Other benefits include an average saving £150 a month and almost £2,000 a year.

Notts County Council will be sending out regular tweets under the hashtag #quittertwitter during October giving people useful tips and advice.

A web page will be set up to host blogs from other quitters, advice and links to other support services.

Smokers can also get support and encouragement through a daily messaging service and expert advice via a Stoptober app - available via iPhone and computer - and a Facebook page.

Stoptober 2013 kicks off on Tuesday 1st October and runs for 28 days.

“Local smokers making the brave step of taking the Stoptober challenge don’t need to do this alone as we will be offering a wide range of information and support to reduce the stress of giving up,” said Coun Joyce Bosnjak, the county council’s chair of the health and wellbeing committee.

“Smoking is still the nation’s biggest cause of premature death so the health benefits alone make giving up an attractive prospect.”

For more information and to join the biggest stop smoking challenge of its kind, visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/stoptober

Smokers who want to quit can get in touch with their local stop smoking service through their GP or local pharmacy or by phoning New Leaf on 0800 389 7712 or texting ‘leaf’ free to 80800.