SMOKERS in East Sussex are being urged to quit the habit this Stoptober – with the help of individual tailored support available in the county.—East Sussex County Council, 28 September 2018
Annual stop-smoking challenge in East Sussex
As the annual stop-smoking challenge returns this October, people can get a free personal quit plan with options including face-to-face support, nicotine replacement therapy and e-cigarettes.
More than 1,000 people were helped to quit by stop smoking services in East Sussex last year and research shows smokers who get specialist help are four times more likely to quit than those who go it alone.
While smoking levels are the lowest since records began, 14 per cent of adults in the county still smoke, and that figure rises to 17 per cent in Rother and 22 per cent in Hastings.
Darrell Gale, East Sussex Director of Public Health, said: “If you are a smoker, quitting is the best thing you can do for your health and the health of those around you.
“Six out of every 10 smokers want to quit, but trying to do it using willpower alone can be difficult and people may not be aware of the wide range of support available in East Sussex to help them kick the habit.
“The evidence shows people who can stop smoking for 28 days are five times more likely to quit for good.
“Every 80 seconds, one person in England quits smoking and Stoptober is the ideal time to join hundreds of thousands of people around the country who are taking a positive step to improve their health.”
Stopping smoking has immediate and lasting benefits to health. After 48 hours carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body, lungs start to clear out mucus and other debris and the ability to taste and smell greatly improves.
Within a year of quitting, the risk of a heart attack falls to around half that of a smoker and after 10 years, the risk of death from lung cancer drops to half that of a smoker.
There are also financial gains to quitting. A 20-a-day smoker can save around £60 a week, £258 a month and around £3,000 a year by stopping smoking.
People can get their personal quit plan by searching Stoptober or by contacting One You East Sussex by calling 01323 404600 or emailing hello@oneyoueastsussex.org.uk to discuss support options with a local qualified health coach.
More information on the service is available at www.oneyoueastsussex.org.uk while support is also available through GPs and pharmacies across the county.
