SMOKERS across the South West are being encouraged to take the Stoptober Challenge and quit smoking for 28 days this October.

Launching today, the campaign, which runs throughout October is asking smokers to think about stopping now, to sign up to quit for 28 days on October 1st and receive support direct to their inbox or mobile to help them succeed.

Fiona Andrews, Director of Smokefree South West, said: “We know that most smokers – two thirds[1] – want to quit. There are now millions more ex-smokers in the UK than those still smoking, and we also know there are some practical tools that help turn that decision to go smokefree into real success. According to a recent survey, 4 in 10 smokers[2] have taken steps to quit in the last year. Stoptober is a fantastic campaign because it draws in friends, family and work colleagues to get behind smokers, gives them a real focus, and crucially, the support they will need to quit for good.”

Cllr Andrew Gravells, Gloucestershire County Council’s cabinet member for public health and communities, said: “Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but there’s a lot of support out there if you’re ready to give it a go. By taking the 28 day Stoptober challenge you’re five times more likely to stay smokefree, so sign up today and get additional support from the county’s stop smoking service.”

This is the third year of Stoptober, which is run nationally by Public Health England. Last year, 18,775 smokers in the South West signed up for Stoptober and nationally 65% of those who took park succeeded in staying quit for the 28 days.

This year’s Stoptober campaign is using comedy to engage smokers and help them through their 28 day smokefree challenge, and stay quit for good. Smoking may be deadly serious but stopping can give a powerful sense of achievement and personal success.

By signing up to Stoptober, smokers are provided with a detailed 28-day step-by-step programme to support them in their smokefree attempt. To find out more, and to join the biggest stop smoking challenge of its kind, search ‘Stoptober’ online.

The benefits of quitting are well known, but smokers who have quit the habit know that while it can be hard to overcome the cravings, the pay-off is certainly worth it and after just 28 days smokers will start to feel the financial, physical and health benefits, including better sense of taste and smell and a reduced risk of lung cancer and heart disease.