News story

Stoptober campaign will encourage smokers to quit for 28 days

Smokers are being asked to give up for 28 days in the first ever mass quit attempt launched today by Chief Medical Officer Sally Davies.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

The innovative campaign, Stoptober, is backed by Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation, and is the first 28-day quit attempt of its kind to encourage the nation’s 8 million smokers to give up.

People who stop smoking for 28 days are 5 times more likely to stay smokefree, so smokers who sign up will be given support and encouragement throughout the month.

They will be able to download the Stoptober app (available free from the Smokefree website) and access the Smokefree Facebook page where they will get additional tips and advice. They will also get a daily message providing additional support and encouragement throughout the month.

Smokers interested in giving up can search for ‘Stoptober’ online, or ask their local pharmacist for a free support pack. Smoking remains the biggest cause of premature death in England and is responsible for the loss of more than 100,000 lives in the UK every year.

For more information visit smokefree.nhs.uk/Stoptober.

Published 8 September 2012