National Stoptober challenge heads to Suffolk

We are bringing this year’s national Stoptober campaign to Suffolk in the coming weeks, as we encourage smokers in the county to take on the 28-day challenge and quit together.

We’ll be offering practical advice and support to those who are interested in taking part in this year’s mass stop-smoking challenge at the following locations:

• Boots, High Street, Sudbury – Thursday 24^th September, 12pm-2pm
• Asda Pharmacy, Wilks Way, Stowmarket – Thursday 24^th September, 11am-2pm
• Tesco Copdock, Ipswich – Friday 25^th September, 12noon-2pm
• Tesco, Cangle Road, Haverhill – Tuesday 29^th September, 3pm-5pm
• Boots, Hamilton Road, Felixstowe – Wednesday 30^th September, 10am-12noon
• Boots, High Street, Newmarket – Friday 2^nd October, 10am-2pm

Smokers are being urged to support each other during this year’s campaign after research revealed people’s chances of quitting successfully are increased when they kick the habit with a partner, friend or colleague. They are two thirds (67%) more likely to stop smoking with their partner and a third more likely to quit if a friend (36%) or colleagues (34%) quits with them.

Steven Lee-Foster, Director of Live Well Suffolk, said: “We know how difficult stopping smoking can be but Stoptober is a perfect time to give it a try. Quitting for just 28 days means you’re five times more likely to stay smoke-free for good, and if you take on the challenge with a friend or loved one you’ll be able to maximise your chances of success by supporting each other.

“Our trained advisors will also be on hand to help throughout Stoptober, offering advice on the best way to quit and providing handy hints and top tips on managing any cravings you might experience.”

We are also offering stop smoking support throughout Stoptober to local workplaces to encourage employees to quit together. This includes:

• Promotion and awareness raising at your workplace
• Group cessation sessions for staff
• 1:1 clinics
• Free weight management support and advice

The national Stoptober initiative is organised by Public Health England and runs from 1^st-28^th October. Across Suffolk one in five are smokers and smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the county - it is estimated three people die in Suffolk every day from smoking-related causes.

For more information on the national campaign, please see www.stoptober.smokefree.nhs.uk

To find out more about our range of stop smoking services, or to order free stop smoking information and collateral for your workplace, call us on call us on 01473 229292 or email info@livewellsuffolk.org.uk.