Make a date with Stoptober to stub out cigarettes 

Date
Topics
Health and wellbeing
Two staff at the information stand at the Ashford One You Kent shop that provides quit smoking advice. The display includes stop smoking leaflets, a “Quit Smoking” ceiling decoration, a poster showing harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke, and a model display illustrating the effects of smoking.

The One You Kent shop in Ashford is staffed by fantastic friendly advisors. Drop in for free support to improve your health and wellbeing, including stopping smoking.

If you want to quit smoking Stoptober is the perfect time to try.

Taking part in the UK’s annual stop smoking campaign this October means you’re joining thousands of other people aiming for the same goal - to quit smoking for 28 days, one day at a time, to rediscover the benefits of being smokefree.

Even if you have attempted to quit before, there’s so many reasons to try again.

Stopping smoking for October makes it five times more likely you’ll quit for good.

Quitting smoking is great for your:

  • health - lowering the risk of developing lung disease and other serious illnesses
  • mental health - lifting your mood and supporting your mental wellbeing by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression
  • loved ones - reducing friends' and family's exposure to the harmful effects of cigarette smoke
  • wallet - saving you money...as much as several thousand pounds a year
Headshot of Jamie Henderson

“...even an average smoker, someone who smokes 10-11 cigarettes a day, can save as much as £3,700 a year to spend on the really important things energy bills, good food or a present for a family member or a friend”

Jamie Henderson Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health, Kent County Council

Kent County Council (KCC) Cabinet Member for Environment, Coastal Regeneration and Public Health, Jamie Henderson, said: “Kicking the smoking habit has lots of benefits, including saving you money.

“Latest figures show even an average smoker, someone who smokes 10-11 cigarettes a day, can save as much as £3,700 a year to spend on the really important things like household bills, good food or a present for a family member or a friend.

“Quitting also reduces the chances you’ll have sick days that can impact your job and pay.”

Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Ellen Schwartz

“...this Stoptober please give yourself the best chance of success and check out our free local smokefree services”

Dr Ellen Schwartz Deputy Director of Public Health, KCC

KCC’s Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Ellen Schwartz, said: “Three quarters of people who smoke wish they’d never started but nicotine is a tough addiction to break and willpower alone is rarely enough.

“So this Stoptober please give yourself the best chance of success and check out our free local smokefree services. Our friendly advisors will help keep you motivated to achieve your quit goal.”

If you’re ready to quit, get prepared for Stoptober and treble your chances of success by getting professional support.

  • You can visit www.kent.gov.uk/smokefree for details of your local stop smoking services, from One You Kent to the Allen Carr Easyway Programme, to find a quit route that works for you. Have a chat with a One You advisor and ask for free support and access to quit aids
  • Let friends and family know you are quitting so they can support you, or perhaps join you if they also want to quit
  • Remove all tobacco products from your life to avoid temptation