Release date: 30 September 2022
Stoptober is back, calling on smokers in West Sussex to join more than 2.5 million others who have made a quit attempt with the campaign since it launched a decade ago in 2012.
Smoking remains the number one cause of preventable illness and premature death in England and is a major risk factor for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illness. With approximately 77,000 adult smokers in West Sussex, we’re encouraging everyone to have conversations about smoking and promote the free support available to help people quit.
This year's Stoptober mass quit attempt is as important as ever, with quitting being one of the best things a smoker can do for their health. That’s why this year’s Stoptober campaign is encouraging smokers to join the thousands of others who are giving quitting a go for the month of October – making it to 28 days smoke free means you’re five times as likely to quit for good.
Smokers can find free help and support on the Stop Smoking services page on the West Sussex Wellbeing website.
Quitting will allow you to start moving better, breathe more easily - and save you more money. On average smokers spend £38.59 a week on tobacco. That means they could save around £2,000 a year by quitting.*
Quitting with others, together with the range of support offered, means that Stoptober can trigger resolve and boost confidence, motivation and readiness, making smokers realise that they are stronger and better prepared than they think and setting them up for long term success.
Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing said: "Stoptober presents a great opportunity for people who have been thinking about giving up smoking to take on the challenge. Not only will they notice the health benefits immediately, but financially they will be better off, at a time when many people are struggling with their finances.
"I would encourage smokers in West Sussex who want to quit to take advantage of the free help and support available as research shows that smokers are three times more likely to quit with the help of a stop smoking advisor."
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*Analysis by The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. 2022.
