Building a Smoke-Free Life this Stoptober

Stoptober is a national campaign that takes place every year throughout October. Stoptober is not just any campaign, it’s a nationwide movement dedicated to inspiring people to break free from the shackles of smoking and embrace a life filled with health, vitality, and endless possibilities. Since it first launched back in 2012, Stoptober has helped more than 2.5 million people make a quit attempt.

The theme of this year's Stoptober is ‘When you stop smoking, good things start to happen’ – this is based on the evidence that when you commit to the quit, improvements to your health are seen almost immediately. Stoptober is also founded on evidence that if a smoker can quit for 28 days, they are four times more likely to quit smoking for good.

What happens when you quit?

With around 5.4 million cigarette smokers in the UK and the amount of long-term negative effects that can be caused by smoking, including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, join us in raising awareness of the miraculous health benefits that can come from starting a smoke-free life this Stoptober and beyond.

Research by the NHS shows the sooner you quit smoking, the sooner you’ll notice positive differences to your health as…

• After 48 hours, all carbon monoxide is flushed out of your lungs.

• After 72 hours, breathing will feel easier as your bronchial tubes will be more relaxed.

• After 2-12 weeks, your circulation will have improved so blood will be pumping faster.

• After 3-9 months, any breathing problems will be improved as lung function would have increased by 10%.

• After 1 year, your risk of heart attack will have halved compared to someone who smokes.

• After 10 years, your risk of lung cancer will have halved compared to someone who smokes.

To delve further into the immediate benefits of quitting smoking, use the Best-You Smoking Information Deck here to view a breakdown of all the different aspects. There is also a ‘Self-Assessment Tool’ you can do for an insight into your current smoking habits and how to overcome them.

Setting yourself up for smoke-free success

There are a range of nicotine products that can aid your quit attempt, including nicotine patches, chewing gum, lozenges, mouth spray, nasal spray, and inhalators.

The nicotine patches release nicotine slowly over either a 24-hour or 16-hour period, while the oral products provide fast relief of cravings.

Research suggests that combination NRT is more effective than using a single product. The best way to use NRT is therefore to combine the use of a patch with an oral product. NRT is used over a 12-week period, in which the dose of nicotine is reduced over this period of time, and eventually stops.

Our health coaches offer free expert support and guidance to people seeking support to quit smoking successfully. We offer a confidential, safe and non-judgmental environment to provide personalised support to help you overcome addiction and withdrawal to successfully quit.

Start to take control of tobacco today. For free help and support contact us now on 0800 122 3790. Let Stoptober be the start of your smoke-free, healthier, and happier life.