02 October 2023
The Stoptober challenge, which actively encourages people to quit smoking, is back again this October.
This year's Stoptober challenge is as important as ever, with quitting remaining one of the best things a smoker can do for their health. The 2023 campaign is encouraging smokers to join other people who are committed to quitting for the month of October.
Evidence shows that not smoking a single puff for 28 days significantly increases the chances of giving up for good.
This year, the theme is "When you stop smoking, good things start to happen" – reminding smokers of the many benefits of quitting. In Jersey, 140 people die per year due to smoking.
Dr Rhona Reardon, lead Stop Smoking Nurse Specialist from Health and Community Services' Help2Quit team, said: "We want to encourage all smokers to join the Stoptober challenge. Quitting smoking has many benefits and quitters report having more energy, feeling healthier, breathing easier, improved ability to exercise, their skin looks better, and they have more money in their pocket. The risk of developing smoking-related disease decreases the longer a person remains a non-smoker.
"Quitting with others can increase the chances of being successful – for example quitting with a partner. There is also significant evidence which shows that stopping smoking improves mental health. 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."
Smokers in Jersey who want to find out more about Help2Quit can visit gov.je/help2quit or call 0800 7351155. For further information about Stoptober, visit www.nhs.uk/oneyou/stoptober/home
gov.je