NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is encouraging smokers in the area to give up as part of Public Health England’s annual Stoptober initiative.

This year’s 28-day challenge began on Sunday 21 October and features a wide variety of tools to help people quit smoking, including a free app, Facebook Messenger support, face-to-face advice and daily emails.

More than one million people have used Stoptober to help them quit smoking since it began in 2012, with research indicating that people who give up for 28 days are five times more likely to quit for good.

Everyone’s journey to becoming smokefree is different so it’s important to note that there are several ways to quit. Whether you prefer e-cigarettes, medication, nicotine chewing gum or patches, Stoptober can help you identify which method works best for you.

Smoking accounts for about 100,000 deaths in the UK each year. Smoking-related deaths are mainly due to cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart disease.

Giving up smoking could help you to live a longer and healthier life, while some benefits of quitting can be felt as early as within 20 minutes of stopping.

Did you know?

• Within 20 minutes of quitting, an ex-smoker’s blood pressure and pulse will return to normal
   
• In 48 hours carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body and the lungs will start to clear
   
• After 72 hours breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase
   
• Within 2-12 weeks circulation improves, making walking and running a lot easier
   
• At 3-9 months coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases
   
• The risk of heart attack is halved after one year of not smoking
   
• After 10 years of quitting the risk of lung cancer is halved

Dr Emma Broughton, one of a team of GPs at the Vale of York CCG, said:

“Our overall vision is to achieve the best health and wellbeing for everyone in our community. If you smoke one of the best ways to improve your health and reduce your risk of developing smoking-related diseases is to quit smoking.

“It’s never too late to give up smoking, and taking part in initiatives such as Stoptober can help you succeed in quitting permanently.

“Smoking in pregnancy poses a risk to both mother and baby’s health, including both miscarriages and stillbirths. I would urge any pregnant smokers to contact their midwife or the stop smoking service as they would be fast-tracked in for help.

“If you’re thinking of kicking the habit, the good news is that there is help available both locally and online to help you give up.”

Visit the Stoptober website to find out more information about how to give up smoking: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/stoptober/home

For stop smoking services in the York area, contact City of York Council’s Yorwellbeing Service at www.york.gov.uk/info/20016/health_and_social_care/1781/yorwellbeing or on 01904 555 755.

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