Smokers across Cheshire and Merseyside urged to quit for good this Stoptober

Public health bosses from across Cheshire and Merseyside are calling on smokers across the region to challenge themselves to quit for good ahead of this year’s Stoptober.

Launching this week, Stoptober is a national, mass participation stop smoking campaign, created to show smokers that they do not need to be alone on their journey to quitting for good.

According to recent research from the Champs Public Health Collaborative – a partnership of Cheshire and Merseyside’s nine Directors of Public Health and the NHS Director of Population Health – 50% of smokers living here say they “really want to quit” with a further 21% saying that they know they should.

Around half of smokers (51%) are currently trying to quit or cut down.

The findings also showed how more than two-thirds (64%) have tried to quit before, with 39% having tried to give up more than once, and 13% at least four times.

Research shows that, for many people, it takes multiple attempts to quit smoking for good, but millions of people have shown that it is possible, and it is never too late to try again.

Now, the sub-region’s public health leaders are backing this year’s Stoptober campaign, Let’s Quit Smoking Together, by reminding people of the help available across Cheshire and Merseyside and in your local area, from online advice to tailored one-to-one support.

“I couldn’t have done it without using those kinds of therapies.”

Among those who have managed to give up is Pete, who went from a social smoker in his teens to smoking every day to manage stress and anxiety. Now completely smoke free, Pete’s noticed he’s gotten healthier and fitter and encourages everyone to just give it a go! Listen to his story:

Smoking remains the single biggest cause of preventable ill health and death, with more than five million adults in England still smoking, and 215,000 in Cheshire and Merseyside alone.

It is estimated that smoking costs Cheshire and Merseyside around £1.75 billion per year, in NHS, social care and other costs..

However, smoking rates are coming down, and research shows that, if a smoker manages to stay smoke-free for 28 days, they are five times more likely to quit for good.

Dr Sarah McNulty, Director of Public Health for Knowsley and Lead Director of Public Health for Cheshire and Merseyside’s All Together Smokefree programme, said:

“Smoking across Cheshire and Merseyside continues to be a major cause of ill health and early death, and that’s why campaigns like Stoptober are so important.

“Our research shows that there’s a definite desire among smokers to quit for good, but it can be a daunting task to take on alone. That’s why, during Stoptober, we want to show just how many different ways there are to get help, whether you’re trying to quit for the first, second or even tenth time.”

Earlier this year, a Bill to restrict the sale and advertising of tobacco and vapes progressed to the House of Lords.

Backed by Cheshire and Merseyside’s public health leaders, the Tobacco and Vapes Bill has the potential to protect future generations from starting smoking, by banning the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 1 January 2009.

Once through the House of Lords, the Bill will enter its final stages which includes ‘royal assent’ after which it can be implemented. However, progress has stalled since April, prompting calls for a faster pace.

Professor Ian Ashworth, Director of Population Health for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said: “In the future, we hopefully won’t need Stoptober, as people will never start smoking in the first place, and new legislation currently going through parliament will help with this.

“We know that the majority of smokers say that they wish they’d never started the habit, so a new law to restrict the access to cigarettes in the first place could make huge steps forward in building a smoke-free generation.

“In addition, the Bill will restrict the marketing and sale of vapes, ensuring that they are less attractive to children whilst still remaining available to help adult smokers to quit.

“Until that happens though, Stoptober is an opportunity to make the first step and try to quit for good, using the help and support that is available.”

For further information about Smoking Ends Here, visit: smokingendshere.com

To request resources to support the campaign, please email champscommunication@wirral.gov.uk