Luton Borough Council

30/09/2022 - You’ve got what it takes to quit this Stoptober!

Luton Council is appealing to smokers in Luton to stub out the habit as part of the annual Stoptober public health campaign.

This year's Stoptober mass quit attempt is as important as ever, with quitting being one of the best things a smoker can do for their health, and their finances. Nearly 26,000 adults in the town still smoke and spend on average £2000 per year on tobacco. It remains the single biggest behavioural cause of preventable death in England, with 64,000 deaths a year. In Luton, 191 deaths per year are directly attributable to smoking.

This year’s Stoptober campaign is encouraging Luton’s smokers to join the thousands of others who are giving quitting a go for the month of October – making it to 28 days smoke free means you’re five times as likely to quit for good. Quitting will allow you to start moving better, breathe more easily - and give you more money in your pocket.

Quitting with others, together with the range of support offered, means that Stoptober can trigger resolve and boost confidence, motivation and readiness, making smokers realise that they are stronger and better prepared than they think and setting them up for long term success.

Stoptober also offers a range of free quitting tools including: the NHS Quit Smoking app, Facebook messenger bot, Stoptober Facebook online communities, daily emails and SMS, and an online Personal Quit Plan tool.

Luton residents can also get free expert support, advice and stop smoking treatment from Total Wellbeing Luton’s Stop Smoking Service, providing the best chances of quitting this Stoptober. Residents can get free support by texting ‘Stoptober’ to 60066 or by calling 0300 555 4152 and signing up to the Stop Smoking programme.

As an extra incentive Total Wellbeing Luton are also hosting a prize draw for anyone who quits smoking for 28 days with their support, giving them a chance to win a Love2Shop voucher worth £150 (terms and conditions apply*).

Cllr Khtija Malik, Portfolio Holder for public health and wellbeing, said: “It’s never too late to quit. And you don’t have to do it alone. Total Wellbeing Luton can offer lots of advice, tips and treatments to help make quitting smoking easier.

“Remember, stopping smoking not only improves your physical health but can also boost your mental health and wellbeing and save you money. Even if you’ve tried to quit before and didn’t succeed, it doesn’t mean that it won’t work this time. You’ve got what it takes to quit this Stoptober!”

For information visit the Stoptober website.