Stoptober challenge for Trafford’s smokers (From Messenger Newspapers)
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Stoptober campaign calls for all smokers in Trafford to join a 28-day quitting challenge
9:00am Wednesday 26th September 2012 in News
Kerry Briggs, smoking cessation lead, and Graeme Snell, tobacco control lead, encourage Trafford residents to stop
HEALTH experts in Trafford are urging the borough's smokers to take part in the first ever mass quit attempt launched by the Department of Health – Stoptober.
Trafford has an estimated 35,700 smokers.
Graeme Snell, tobacco control lead at NHS Trafford is urging smokers to take advantage of all support available to them: “We want to help as many people as possible in Trafford to become smokefree. Stoptober is great for nudging people to set a quit date, and feel wider support from society. With the extra support Stoptober provides, this is a great opportunity for smokers to notice the benefits and hopefully become ex-smokers for good.”
There is a wide range of support available for smokers in Trafford. GPs and pharmacists can offer support and advice, while the Trafford stop smoking service runs specialist clinics to help people kick the habit. Last year, 1,329 people in the borough successfully quit with the help of the service.
The campaign, which runs throughout October, offers smokers a free preparation pack, 28-day Quit Calendar and Health & Wealth wheel. Smokers will also receive support and encouragement through a daily messaging service, inspiration from celebrity mentors, and expert advice via a Stoptober app, motivational text message and a Facebook page.
Andrea Crossfield, Director of Tobacco Free Futures, the North West regional body for tobacco control said “Smoking is still Trafford’s biggest killer, claiming the lives of around 343 people per year. These are people’s wives, brothers, fathers and daughters. We know quitting smoking can be tough. Stoptober is about everyone coming together to support smokers to kick a habit that ultimately kills half of all its long term users. If you’ve been thinking about quitting, now is the time to do it.”
For more information and to sign up visit www.smokefree.nhs.uk/Stoptober. To contact the Trafford stop smoking service, call 0300 456 2400 or email stopsmoking.trafford@nhs.net.
