Join thousands of others in quitting smoking together with support.
Over 800 people have sought support from Warwickshire’s new stop smoking service since it launched less than three months ago, as people across Coventry and Warwickshire are invited to take the first step to going smoke free this Stoptober.
Healthy Lifestyles (HLS) Warwickshire launched in July and has already received 833 referrals from people looking for support to quit smoking.
Meanwhile, HLS Coventry helped 1,120 people set a quit date and supported them through their quitting journey last year.
The figures come as Stoptober returns this October, encouraging people to join thousands of others in quitting smoking together. Accessing free support can significantly increase the chance of quitting successfully, and people can do this by:
- Visiting smokefreecw.co.uk
- Calling 0800 1223 927 for support in Warwickshire
- Calling 0800 1223 780 for support in Coventry
- Texting “STARTNOW” (for Coventry) or "STARTNOW WARWICKSHIRE" to 66777
Support includes friendly one-to-one advice, access to the Smoke Free app, a personalised stop smoking plan and stop smoking aids, including medication, nicotine replacement therapy and vape quit kits. The Healthy Lifestyles Coaches recommend getting in touch ahead of a Stoptober quit attempt to get the right support in place.
Quitting smoking is one of the best things people can do for their health, and stopping for the 28 days of Stoptober means they are five times more likely to quit for good.
For one 32-year-old from Leamington Spa, stopping smoking with the support of HLS has led to more changes than expected.
They said:
“I have really surprised myself. I have quit smoking and I feel more confident than ever before about sticking with it long term.
“I have decided to start training for the London Marathon next year and I have also stopped drinking alcohol. My friends cannot believe it! I feel so much better after only five weeks of being smoke free.
“The best thing, though, is that my mum, who has smoked for 40 years, has also joined the service and is doing really well. She seems really determined. I am changing my life and I am fired up about it.”
Many people think smoking helps them cope with stress, but evidence shows that quitting smoking can improve mental wellbeing, lift your mood and reduce anxiety. This was reflected in another story shared by someone who accessed support from HLS, who described stopping smoking as having a “ripple effect” throughout their life.
The 24-year-old from Nuneaton said "everything" is improving since quitting, especially her mental health. Having previously suffered with bad anxiety, she felt ‘much less anxious’, more motivated, and has more self-confidence.
Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko, Portfolio Holder for Adult Health & Social Care at Warwickshire County Council, commented:
“This Stoptober, we’re encouraging anyone thinking about stopping smoking to access the fantastic free support available so that they can live well in Warwickshire. It’s never too late to quit, even if you’ve tried before: every attempt counts, and you’re much more likely to succeed with the right support.”
Take the first step towards a Stoptober quit attempt by visiting smokefreecw.co.uk.