The start of Stoptober and the new smoking laws

Our specialist stop smoking advisors are gearing up for a busy month ahead as the national stop-smoking challenge ‘Stoptober’ officially beings today (1^st October).

The start of this year’s national initiative coincides with a new law that comes into force today, preventing people from smoking in cars when children under the age of 18 are present. We support the new ban, which aims to protect children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and will see drivers issued with a £50 fine if they breach the new regulations.

Steven Lee-Foster, Director of Live Well Suffolk, said: “This ban is a huge step in the right direction to help protect the health of children and young people. We also know from experience that smoking is a habit that many people take up before they are 18 after watching their parents smoke, so anything that helps to prevent this is welcome. With today’s new law and start of the Stoptober challenge, it’s an ideal time for parents to give quitting a try.”

Throughout October we will be running daily Stoptober drop-in sessions at their Adelphi House headquarters on Turret Lane in Ipswich, offering practical advice and support to anyone who is interested in taking part in the 28-day quit challenge. The organisation’s advisors will also be on-hand to support smokers across the county.

For this year’s Stoptober campaign smokers are being urged to support each other after research revealed people’s chances of quitting successfully are increased when they kick the habit with a partner, friend or colleague.

Mr. Lee-Foster added: “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.”

Smokers are two thirds (67%) more likely to stop smoking with their partner and a third more likely to quit if a friend (36%) or colleague (34%) quits with them.

The national Stoptober initiative is organised by Public Health England and runs from 1^st-28^th October. Across Suffolk one in five residents 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 about Live Well Suffolk and our range of stop smoking services, or to sign up to the Stoptober challenge, please see www.livewellsuffolk.org.uk or phone us on 01473 229292.