Smokers urged to sign up to “Stoptober”

SMOKERS at Warrington are being urged to sign up to “Stoptober” with friends, family and colleagues to boost their chances of quitting.
Public health data for the borough shows that 14 per cent of Warrington residents are smokers and the borough council’s public health team and LiveWire are encouraging them to take up Public Health England’s 28 day stop smoking challenge and make use of the services available so that they can try to kick the habit.
By signing up to Stoptober, quitters will receive humorous supportive messages from some of the nation’s top comedians – Bill Bailey, Al Murray, Shappi Khorsandi and Rhod Gilbert.
Messages of support and encouragement will be sent straight to quitters’ ‘phones and email addresses throughout next month.
To stand an even better chance of quitting, Warrington residents are being encouraged to sign up with their friends, family and colleagues, as research shows that smokers are two thirds (67 per cent) more likely to quit when their spouse stops smoking, and a third more likely to quit when a close friend (36 per cent) or someone they work with (34 per cent) stops.
Signing up also gives access to local support services through LiveWire’s Stop Smoking service including one-to-one support and local drop-in sessions at community centres, libraries and leisure centres across Warrington.
The Stop Smoking team also now offer support over the ‘phone and online and for a limited time only, LiveWire are offering a special “Quit to Fit” promotion which will give four week quitters a chance to claim four weeks free membership at a LiveWire gym.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, the council’s lead member for public health and well-being, said: “Quitting is not easy  – it takes a lot of will power but Stoptober is a great challenge and there are services to help and support residents.
“Stoptober has a variety of support mechanisms in place from celebrity texts to advice via the mobile app so support is available direct to you wherever you are which makes it more fun and more personalised.
“It’s a good idea to sign up with other family or friends as evidence reveals that this type of ‘social quitting’ can dramatically improve people’s chances of successfully stopping. “
Jan Souness, managing director of LiveWire, said: “We know that signing up to quit smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your health and the health of your family, that’s why we’ve put a number of support services in place through our Lifestyle service to help the vast majority of smokers in Warrington who are keen to quit.
“If you have tried unsuccessfully to stop smoking before, don’t be put off, give it another go, and join the thousands of people across the town signing up to Stoptober.”
Picture: (left to right): Di Clarke, strategic lead for healthy lifestyles at LiveWire, Gill Bent, advisor for smoking, LiveWire, Locklynne Hall, innovation and leadership manager at LiveWire,  Susan Pottage, stop smoking client, Big Cig, Steven Horne, stop smoking client, Amanda Crowe, stop smoking client and Cllr Maureen McLaughlin.