Stoptober is back and calling on smokers to join the thousands of others committing to quit from October 1, 2023.

A new nationwide survey released ahead of Stoptober shows nearly all (95 per cent) ex-smokers see positive changes in their life as early as two weeks after quitting.

Stoptober’s mass quit attempt will launch on October 1, calling on smokers in England to join the thousands of others committing to quit. While smoking rates are declining, over five million adults in England still smoke and smoking remains the single biggest cause of preventable illness and death in the country - linked to 64,000 deaths a year. The total cost from smoking to society in England is approximately £17bn a year - this includes the cost to the NHS of treating diseases caused by smoking at approximately £1.9bn a year.

This supports the government’s bold new measures - such as financial incentives for all pregnant women who smoke to quit - to help it achieve its ambition to be Smokefree by 2030.

Data from more than 3,000 ex-smokers found some of the top benefits they saw within two weeks of quitting included having more energy (45 per cent), feeling healthier (42 per cent) and breathing better (42 per cent). In addition to key improvements in health measures, many survey respondents also noted improvement in their ability to exercise (22 per cent), healthier looking skin (24 per cent), their sense of taste returning (25 per cent), and saving money (34 per cent). On average, a smoker could save £38 a week by quitting smoking, which is around £2,000 a year.

These findings reinforce the near-immediate improvements smokers can expect when they quit - including improvements to senses of taste and smell within as little as 48 hours.

Dawn Harper, an NHS doctor, said, “As a GP, I am always trying to encourage my patients to quit smoking as I know the detrimental impact it has on so many of our body’s systems. Quitting is one of the best things a smoker can do for their health, and kick starts a range of benefits from easier breathing to reduced coughing to better tasting food. It will also put you on the road to long-term health benefits including reduced risk of heart attack and lung cancer. So why not give it a shot this Stoptober?”

Stopping smoking also brings multiple long-term health benefits, including a reduced risk of several cancers and lung diseases. Just one year after quitting, the risk of a heart attack is halved and after 10 years, the risk of death from lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.

Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, said, “Over the past 12 years, Stoptober has helped over two and a half million people quit. However, while smoking rates are in decline, there are over five million adults in England who still smoke, so it’s vital we support everyone to go smoke free. Quitting will improve your health, whatever your age and no matter how long you have smoked. It’s never too late to stop. I encourage you to give it a go.”

Neil O’Brien, the health minister, said, “Smoking is the single biggest cause of preventable illness and death. When people quit smoking, the benefits are huge - they are healthier, wealthier and pressure on the NHS eases.

“Stoptober will motivate thousands to quit smoking this October by providing people with the support and confidence to go smoke free.

“We remain committed to our bold ambition to be smoke free by 2030, bolstered by a package of new measures giving vapes to a million smokers, new financial incentives for pregnant women to quit and new pack inserts to provide support to people to quit.”

Stoptober is based on evidence showing that if you can make it to 28 days smoke free, you’re five times more likely to quit for good. The 2023 campaign - ‘When you stop smoking, good things start to happen’ - is designed to highlight the immediate benefits smokers can expect when they stop smoking.

While stopping smoking can be challenging, the survey also revealed interesting findings in terms of where people find support to quit, with family and friends (29 per cent) and talking to others who have quit smoking (21 per cent) rated as key motivators. Other top tips included finding a distraction from smoking, such as keeping hands busy (37 per cent), changing routine (37 per cent) and going for walks (37 per cent).

Ex-smokers Bobby Norris, star of The Only Way Is Essex, and Malin Andersson, a former Love Island star, are joining the campaign this year to tell their stories of how they quit successfully and encourage others to also give quitting a go.

Bobby said, “Three years ago, I finally made the decision to give up smoking after almost 20 years. I was surprised by how quickly I felt the benefits - I’ve instantly had more energy to do the things I love, like improving my fitness, I feel so much healthier, I never want to go back. With the great support on offer via Stoptober, I couldn’t recommend a better time to get involved and give it a go from this year.”

Malin said, “I quit two years ago because I was pregnant but was amazed to discover there are so many other benefits to stopping smoking, such as being able to breathe easier, having more energy, and I just felt so much healthier. I used to smoke eight to 10 cigarettes a day for eight years - so I know how hard it can be to quit, but after seeing these improvements, I had to stick with it. This could be you, too!”

Author: