Stop smoking this Stoptober

30 September 2021

​The year marks the 10^th anniversary of Stoptober, a campaign that encourages people to stop smoking throughout October. 

Since Stoptober launched in 2012, 824 people in Jersey have taken up the challenge to quit for 28 days during October with 46% still quit after four weeks. Evidence shows that not smoking for 28 days significantly increases the chances of giving up for good.

This year, the theme is to encourage smokers to look at what they can start when they quit smoking.

• Quit smoking start breathing. Breathing improves soon after quitting as carbon monoxide levels improve within just a couple of days. Smoking damages the lungs and airways making breathing more difficult. Each cigarette fills the lungs with toxins which harm the immune system and leave smokers more vulnerable to infections.
• Quit smoking start saving. A smoker spending around £9 a day on cigarettes could save around £3276 a year
• Quit smoking start moving. As breathing improves the ability to exercise also improves as oxygen levels increase
  

Lead Stop Smoking Nurse Specialist, Dr Rhona Reardon, said: "We really encourage people to come forward this year to take part in the Stoptober challenge. Quitting with others can increase the chances of being successful, for example quitting with a partner.

"As well as improving physical health, there is significant evidence that stopping smoking improves mental wellbeing. Evidence shows that following the short-term withdrawal stage of quitting, people have reduced levels of anxiety, depression and stress and increased positive mood compared with those who continue to smoke".

Stop smoking support is available to all Islanders and 23 pharmacies offer help and support to quit. We also have a specialist service to support those people who may need more support to quit, including people with physical or mental illness, pregnant women, and those smokers who have struggled to quit.

Islanders who want to find out more about Help2Quit can visit www.gov.je/stopsmoking or call 0800 7351155. For further information about Stoptober log on to www.nhs.uk/oneyou/stoptober/home.