SPOPTOBER the 28-day quitting challenge, is back for its fifth year after a successful 2015 which saw 773 residents sign up to quit smoking in Warrington.
Stoptober has made a big impact on the local community already, helping to lower smoking rates to just 14% across the whole of the town.
LiveWire and Warrington Borough Council have welcomed the return of the campaign and are encouraging local smokers to join the thousands of people making a change this October for a healthier and wealthier future.
The campaign has returned with even more free motivational support, including support via the Stoptober app, a daily email service and Facebook messenger tool, which, when cravings strike, can provide instant support.
People who quit with the support of a stop smoking service advisor are four times more likely to successfully stop for good.
LiveWire’s Stop Smoking service provides free, expert support and guidance including one-to-one support and local drop in sessions at community centres, libraries and leisure centres across Warrington. The Stop Smoking team also offers support over the phone and online.
Paul Roberto, senior LiveWire advisor for stop smoking, said: “Stoptober is a great opportunity for smokers across Warrington to quit together alongside friends, family and thousands of other people in our area.
“There has never been a better time to stop smoking, with lots of help and support available. It doesn’t matter how many times you have tried before, call our specialist stop smoking advisers and take on the challenge this year.
“Quitting is the single best thing you can do for your health and with the help of LiveWire’s stop smoking advisors and the campaign’s support and motivation, I am sure we will have another successful Stoptober.”
Sue Pottage, aged 65 from Fearnhead, quit smoking with the help of LiveWire’s Stop Smoking team last year. She said: “I was smoking 30-40 cigarettes a day which takes a huge chunk out of your pension. I couldn’t afford to buy much else once I’d paid my bills and bought my cigarettes..
“But in the first three months that I have not been smoking, I managed to save some money. I’ve decorated my bedroom and bought a new bed and bedding with matching curtains. I’ve even treated myself to a new sewing machine and bought some new clothes. All this would have been impossible if I was still smoking.
“I’m so glad that I attended the drop in at Fearnhead and sought advice from the LiveWire Stop Smoking team. They have changed my life for the better and probably saved it too.”
Warrington Borough Council’s executive board member for public health and wellbeing, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, said: “Driving down smoking levels in the borough is a major priority for us and we are making good progress, with significant reductions in recent years.
“Initiatives like Stoptober are playing a major part in this work, providing the support, education and motivation people need to quit. If you have been thinking about giving up but haven’t quite managed it yet, October is the perfect time to begin your smoke-free future.”
