Stoptober: Could October be the month you quit smoking?

Stoptober begins today, an annual campaign encouraging people who smoke to quit.

For some, deciding to stop smoking can be a big step. It can be difficult to break a habit that may have been part of everyday life for years, but with the right support, quitting is possible.

Stoptober is a good opportunity to think about your smoking, consider the benefits of stopping and find out what support is available locally and nationally.

Making the decision to quit

There is no single way to quit smoking, and what works for one person may not work for another. For some, the first step is simply deciding that they want to stop. From there, having a plan and getting the right support can make a big difference.

Stopping smoking has benefits at any age. Within days of quitting, the body begins to recover, while over time the risks of serious conditions such as heart disease, stroke and lung cancer decrease.

Quitting can also improve your breathing and circulation, and you may notice improvements in your sense of taste and smell. And there can be financial benefits too, the money you would have spent on cigarettes or other tobacco products can soon add up.

Smoking and health

Smoking remains one of the biggest preventable causes of ill health and early death in England. Although the number of people who smoke has fallen considerably over the last decade, thousands of people across Southend still smoke.

Smoking can damage almost every organ in the body and is linked to a wide range of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and cancer.

It is sometimes suggested that smoking helps people manage stress. Nicotine can provide a short-term feeling of relief, particularly when someone is experiencing cravings. However, this effect is temporary. Nicotine withdrawal can contribute to feelings of irritability, anxiety and stress, creating a cycle where smoking feels like it is relieving the very symptoms that dependence can cause.

The smoke-free generation

The Government has introduced legislation intended to create a smoke-free generation by preventing the legal sale of tobacco products to people born on or after 1 January 2009. The legislation is designed to make it harder for younger generations to start smoking in the first place.

Quitting: easier said than done?

Yes, quitting can be difficult. Nicotine is addictive, and stopping can mean dealing with cravings and withdrawal symptoms as well as changing routines and habits that may have become part of everyday life.

There is support available to help people make a quit plan, manage cravings and find an approach that works for them. Stop smoking services may also be able to provide stop-smoking aids alongside practical and motivational support.

You may have tried to quit before and found it difficult. That doesn't mean you can't try again. For many people, quitting takes more than one attempt. If you've been thinking about stopping smoking, Stoptober could be the moment to take that first step.

Support available in Southend

Everyone Health offers support including a free quit kit – see more and contact details on their website

Everyone Health

Better Health -NHS – free personal plan to quit with 8 steps, there is also an app to help you track your progress.

NHS Better Health

Lets be clear – online support and sign posting service with information about the risks of smoking and benefits of quitting

Lets be clear